William Arlan Bufton

WILLIAM ARLAN BUFTON William "Bill" Bufton passed away Aug 16, 2015 after a two month battle with cancer of the Esophagus. Bill was born in Belcourt North Dakota on Feb 21, 1936 to Elsie and Albert Bufton, the second of eight children. When he was a young boy the family moved to Washington State. Bill graduated from Ellensburg Washington High School in 1954. He moved to Humboldt County when the lumber industry was booming and went to work for Pacific Lumber Co. In 1957 Bill was drafted into the Army and was stationed at the Presidio in San Francisco serving in the Honor Guard. After being discharged from the Army he returned to Fortuna CA and in 1961 he married Janet Stewart. Together they moved to Palo Alto CA where Bill worked for Kane Engineering. When the company went out of business they returned to Fortuna where their two sons Bret and Bric were born. Bill went to work for PG&E until he retired after 35 years with the company. He stayed retired for three years, and decided he wanted to work some more. So returned to PG&E doing contract work for two more years. As a young boy and into his adult years Bill loved playing sports: volleyball, softball, basketball, racket ball, but he could never master the little white "golf ball". He loved Jazz, was a Seahawks fan, and an avid Clint Eastwood fan -- he saw every movie Clint made at least twice. Bill was the best gift giver. Nothing pleased him more then buying and giving gifts to people he cared about. He always knew what you would like and enjoyed finding something different. His greatest joy was spending time with his three grandchildren who always put a smile on his face and a sparkle in his eyes. Bill was preceded in death by his sons Bret and Bric, his parents Elsie and Albert Bufton, brothers James and Chuck, sisters Luella and Loraine and nephew Jeff. Bill is survived by Janet, granddaughters Andie and Liz, grandson Arlan and their mother Marueen Bufton, sisters Lorna Renfrow, Debbie Theis, brother Albert (Paula) Bufton and their families, sister-in-law Ann (Bob) Martella, Dianne O'Connor, niece Theresa (Jim) Seaton nephews Craig Giacomini, Lance (Irina) O'Connor and their families, and by his beloved dog and constant companion Bella. A special Thank You to Hospice for all their support and to the caring staff that helped us the last two weeks in caring for Bill. We will be forever grateful. To honor Bill's wishes there will be no formal services. Family services will be held in Windsor CA. Bill will be with his sons Bret and Bric at the Shiloh District Cemetery in Windsor CA. Donations may be made to Hospice of Humboldt, American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice . Please sign the guestbook at www.times standard.com under obituaries. Arrangements under the care of Gobles Fortuna Mortuary, Fortuna, California.

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