SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Billy (Bill) Gene Graff, 76, of San Marcos, Calif., passed away unexpectedly on May 2, 2024.
Bill was born on Sept. 29,1947, in Mendota, to Henry and Josephine (Champlin) Graff. Bill grew up in Mendota, where he attended and graduated from Mendota High School in 1966.
Bill is survived by a brother, Henry Ronald Graff of Chico, Calif.; a sister, Rose (Marty) Medvec of Tucson, Ariz.; niece Merideth (Kent) Laporte and their two daughters from Tucson; nephew Marty (Kelly) Medvec, along with their daughter and son from Tucson; and three Hilbert brothers-in-law, Gary (Dorothy), Ted (Colleen), and Stan (Barbara), and their children.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Paula Frances (Hilbert) Graff on Feb. 6, 2024. Also passed are his parents, Henry (Hank) Herbert Graff and Josephine Elaine (Champlin) Graff.
In 1965, Bill started working at Black Brothers Co., under their high school Diversified Occupation Program. He continued to work there after graduation until being inducted into the Army on Aug.2, 1966. Bill completed his basic training at Fort Leonard, Mo. He was then stationed in Fort Polk, La., for nine weeks training in small weapons and infantry. He was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division’s 1st Administration Company near Di An Vietnam, on Jan. 15, 1967, for 18 months. He transitioned out of service from Fort Bragg, N.C., on Aug. 1, 1969. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and a Purple Heart.
After his service he spent a brief time living in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. There, Bill was certified and worked on construction on high rise apartments. He decided this work was not for him. He returned to Illinois and attended Control Data Institute in Chicago and was certified as a computer technician on Sept. 22. 1972. Shortly after he moved to Santa Fe, N.M., and worked for the Los Alamos Observatory for 20 years.
He met the love of his life, Paula Frances Hilbert from Portland, Ore., at a television satellite convention in Las Vegas, Nev. They were married at Bill’s home in Santa Fe on Sept. 15, 1984. They attended the community college together in Santa Fe, taking up courses in accounting. They decided to move to California to set up a bookkeeping business. They started out in Carlsbad and then later to San Marcos, where they built a home and enjoyed the California weather. After 39 years of marriage, Paula passed away on Feb.6, 2024.
Bill put his love for his Lord and savior first. May his soul be at peace and joined in union with his loved ones in heaven. Memories of the good times that were shared by family and friends will always be with us. Bill and Paula’s remains are interned together at the Miramar Military Cemetery.
