William Charles Neuendorff, Jr.

Bill was born in Brooklyn, New York to William and Evelyn Neuendorff. He soon moved to Southern California in 1933 and grew up there going on to attend Hollywood High School. During this time his main hobby was photography.

He joined the Navy in 1948. While in the Navy he went to electronics school and sailed to many foreign lands. Bill greatly enjoyed his time of service to our country and was recognized for his efforts receiving serveral medals: the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.

Bill left the Navy in 1954 and joined the civil service to work as an engineer. Early on, he was stationed in Japan. That's where he met Masako Kamieno, the love of his life. They were married in 1960 and eventually moved to Okinawa, Japan where their future adopted son was born in 1963. Bill and Masako adopted Michael in 1967. It's said that when Michael first met them, he ran to Bill and called him daddy. That was it. Along with being a loving husband and father, Bill also liked to slalom race in his free time with his various sports cars.

Bill's career in the civil service moved the family to Hawaii in 1971. Michael completed his elementary and middle school education there while Masako was a homemaker and part-time employee of a jewelry store. Bill stopped racing cars, but he was still quite an enthusiast and was even seen around town on his Harley. He also spent many hours working in his shop. Michael liked to show off to his friends the latest skateboard deck Bill had made for him. It was an idyllic time for the family in Honolulu, but opportunities for advancement were limited. So, Bill opted to relocate to Fort Huachuca, Arizona to further his career. 

He first moved there in 1976, with Masako and Michael following in 1977. While quite different from Hawaii and initially not very attractive, the family eventually put down roots in Arizona and made numerous lifelong friends there.

Bill retired from the civil service in 1990. He didn't stop working though. He soon went to work for multiple government contractors for some years thereafter. Bill and Masako were overjoyed to see Michael settle down and marry Karen Del Barrio in January of 2002. They were hopeful that grandchildren might be in the offing. Their wishes came true with the arrival of their first grandchild, Stephanie, in 2004 followed by the birth of Adam in 2007. They both dearly loved their grandchildren.

Masako passed away in the summer of 2016, leaving Dad alone since Michael was living with Karen and the kids in Northern California. Bill chose to move to Santa Rosa in the fall of 2020 to live with his kid sister, Suzan. His younger brother, David, kindly volunteered to drive Bill on the two-day journey. Bill was happy with the change of scenery, often commenting on how lovely the Santa Rosa area was on the many drives he and Suzan would take. He was in very good hands with Suzan who cared for him with deep love and affection for the remaining years of his life. Bill also enjoyed being close to Michael, Karen, Stephanie, and Adam which afforded regular visits.

Earlier this year, Bill was very happy and proud to hear that his granddaughter, Stephanie, had been accepted at the University of California, Berkeley to pursue an English degree while Adam, his grandson, was recognized as a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist and Junior of the Year at Pacific Bay Christian Academy due to his hard work and excellent academics. These were highlights in the final year of a long and full life.  His ashes will be laid to rest alongside Masako in Sierra Vist, AZ.

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