W.B. ‘Bill’ Appenzeller
W.B. “Bill” Appenzeller died Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, at Four Corners Health Care Center in Durango. He was 91.
Mr. Appenzeller was born Aug. 15, 1920, in Portsmouth, Va., to Willard and Anna Appenzeller. He graduated from William and Mary College and immediately enlisted in the Navy and served as an officer in the South Pacific for the duration of World War II.
While stationed in California, he met Mitch Smith, “the love of his life,” his family said. The two were married at the Santa Barbara Mission in California in 1945.
After completing his military service, Mr. Appenzeller earned a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Southern California and was recruited by Harry Crosby, the Oxnard Union High School District superintendent.
Mr. Appenzeller and his wife moved to Oxnard, where he began his career as a history teacher and the couple raised eight children. After 35 years of teaching he retired and moved with his wife to Arboles.
He enjoyed music, loved to hear his wife sing and was a great dancer, his family said. He adored watching his kids and grandchildren play sports and perform, and he was a great friend, storyteller and lover of American history, they said.
“Bill will be remembered for his kindness, generosity and his joy of family,” his family said.
Mr. Appenzeller is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mitch Appenzeller; sons Tom Appenzeller of Arboles, John Appenzeller of San Diego, Dan Appenzeller of Eugene, Ore., and Rob Appenzeller of Panama; daughters Michelle Appenzeller of Durango, Tina McDonalds of Camarrillo, Calif., Vicki Appenzeller of Panama, and Katie Appenzeller of Amsterdam; 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
A rosary was recited at 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, at St. Peter-St. Rosa Catholic Church in Arboles. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. today, Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, also at St. Peter-St. Rosa Catholic Church. The Rev. Douglas Hunt will officiate.
Cremation will occur. Interment of ashes will occur at a later date.
