Billy Reese Heath, 88 years old, of Ojai, California passed away on May 11, 2021 in Ojai. Billy was born in Hillsborough, Texas to Reese Clayton Heath and Libby Elizabeth (Warwick) Heath on July 23, 1932. He attended Nordhoff High School and graduated in 1950. After high school, Billy served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and was stationed in Misawa, Japan where he was a diesel mechanic that worked on equipment which monitored radio traffic between North Korea and Russia. While serving in the Air Force, Billy met his wife, Mariko, and they married in 1956 at the US Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. After his military service Billy was a welder for Mobil Oil Company on Rincon Beach, he then worked for the County of Ventura in road maintenance, and finally worked for Cal Trans as a heavy equipment operator and retired in the 70’s. After retiring, he helped his father run the Heath Auto Repair and Towing Service in Meiners Oaks.
Billy enjoyed camping, being with his brothers and family and walking his devoted dog, Milo, every day around his Ojai neighborhood and enjoyed visiting and having coffee with his neighbors while on his walks. One of his favorite things was talking with his brother, Wayne, from 6 to 7 am every morning.
Billy is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mariko, and daughter Donna. Billy was one of 7 children and is survived by his brothers Wayne of Santa Paula and Kenneth (Ellen) of Grass Valley and sister, Linda (Jim) Verkuil of Ojai, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death recently by his sister, Sharon (Heath) McMillan, and brother, Donald of Bakersfield. His sister, Ovela Faye (Heath) Prevost, passed away in 1970.
Family and friends are invited to visiting hours Thursday evening May 20, 2021 from 5 – 8 pm in the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, 757 E. Main Street Ventura. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home Friday, May 21, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. followed by his burial at Ivy Lawn Cemetery, Ventura.