William 'Bill' Stone Van Orsdol, BHS 1942

William 'Bill' Stone Van Orsdol, BHS 1942



William "Bill" Stone Van Orsdol, 83, of Simi Valley, passed away after a brief illness with cancer on July 21, 2007.


Bill was born on Dec. 21, 1923, in Topeka, Kan. He moved to Burbank, Calif., in 1938 and attended John Muir Junior High and Burbank High School until 1942, when he then went into the Navy in World War II and was a first class cook on the USS Portland until October 1946.


After he was out of the Navy, he cooked for Van's Drive Inn and Eaton's, and soon after opened his own ice cream, hamburger and breakfast shop called Snow Birds in Burbank. He dedicated 33 years, from 1948 to 1981, working as a clerk and manager for Vons grocery stores throughout Southern California.


He lived in (Santa Susana) Simi Valley since 1962, raising his family with his wife, Alys, who preceded him in death in 1998. During that time he was an avid deer hunter, golfer, fisherman, a great cook and the best maker of homemade fudge ever.


He took his family on wonderful vacations each summer throughout the Midwest and to Bass Lake to water ski. Bill was an upstanding member in the Rotary Club and American Legion in Simi Valley and the Elks Lodge in Kernville, Calif.


He has enjoyed and treasured the past seven years with his lifelong friend, adoring wife and companion Kathy Ervin Van Orsdol. They have enjoyed their business, Penny Pinchers Antiques, and helping in the community, specially remembering those tri-tip dinners for St. Peter Claver Church Bingo.


Bill will be greatly missed by his family, friends and customers knowing that he was a man of pride and dedication during his life with a very soft heart.


He leaves behind his wife of seven years, Kathy Ervin Van Orsdol, and her son, Bill's primary caregiver during his illness, Jim Ervin of Simi Valley; son, Robert Van Orsdol and wife Linda of Quartz Hill, Calif.; grandchildren Justin Van Orsdol, Jason Hooker, Belle Hodapp and Adam Herpe; son Steve Van Orsdol and wife Nancy of Ventura; granddaughter Lori Carrese; daughter, Cindy Merwin and husband Geoffrey Beebe of Junction City, Calif.; grandchildren Naomi Merwin and Julian Beebe; daughter Karen Belluomini and husband Dennis of Campbell, Calif; grandson Jim; great-grandson, Michael; and brother Wayne Van Orsdol and his wife Carol of Granada Hills, Calif.


Our special thanks to our wonderful family and friends during these trying times, especially Elsie and Kenny, Shelly and Mike, George and Judy, Bob and Georgie, and Bob and Sherri.


In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bill's name to a charity of your choice.


Family and friends are invited to attend memorial services at 10 a.m. Friday, July 27, at St. Peter Claver Church, on the corner of Stow and Cochran streets, in Simi Valley, with a Bethany repast after services in the church hall.


Please sign the guest book at obits.VenturaCountyStar.com