William Bottorff was born May 8, 1916 in Columbus, Kansas to Charles & Bryd (nee Ryder) Bottorff. William was a twin. His twin was Betty. They had brothers and sisters: Mabel was born in 1898 and died in 1918, then there was Lois Frances who was born in 1899 and died in 2008, then there was Charles Franklin born in 1902 and died in 1967, then there was John Howard who was born in 1906 and died a few days after Mabel in 1918 and last but not least was the twins ( William and Betty ). Betty died in 1993. William died June 1, 2014.

In 1938 William married Florence Evelyn (nee Weikal) on Thanksgiving Day. They later divorced in 1959.

William Bottorff joined the Navy in June 6, 1936 and was honorably discharged June 1940. Then William re-inlisted during World War II. William did his training at Great Lakes, Illinois and then was placed on the U.S.S. Colorado BB-45. During his time on the U.S.S. Colorado BB-45 he and his ship had the task of searching for Ms. Ameila Earhart. for 45 days. He later trained on the U.S.S. Utah and then went back to the U.S.S. Colorado BB-45. He then went to Submarine Base 151, Aleutian Islands where he incountered the U.S. Navy Seabees when they brought to the base a dry dock ARD 6. He was senior Chief Master-at-arms on base, he was Assistant 1st. Lt. of the base personnel. He left there as Chief Boatswain Mate. He helped decommisioned this base in 1945 and then was moved to Bainbridge, Maryland where he was in charge of training of personnel and decommisioned that unit also.

While on the U.S.S. Colorado BB-45 he learned how to use the 5" 25 calib 6 ammo anti aircraft gun.

Then when he went to train on the U.S.S. Utah for Special School he qualified on the 30 calib machine gun, 45 calib machine gun and the 50 calib machine gun.

In 1951 I was born.

Before joining the United States Navy he was a cab driver in Missouri.

Joined the Los Angeles Police Department in 1945 and received disablility retirement December 1960.

I n 1961 William married Evelyn Berniece (nee Emmons) on Valentines Day.

Joined Bank of America, December 1962 and was assigned to the Inglewood, California Main office as head of the collections and Insurance Departments.

Masonic life: Raised in South Park Lodge #563, October 28, 1947. Served as Master in 1956. Officers Coach from 1957 to 1960.
Appointed District Inspector 1960 and served until October 1975, at which time he was appointed to serve as the Grand Pursuivant of the Grand Lodge for the Bicentennial year completed at the end of Grand Lodge, 1975 - 1976.
Joined the Los Angeles Scottish Rite bodies in 1963, recived the rank and decoration of Knight Commander Court of Honor 1971.
Took part in several of the dgrees and was director for the degrees in the Lodge of Perfection.
Served as Wise Master-Chapter Rose Croix 1975.
Coroneted a 33 degree Inspector General Honorary in 1981.
Also held First Lieutenant Commander of the Counsel fo Kadosh.
Recieved the Hiram Award on April 11, 1990
Also served as Chaplin with the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons 2012- 2013.
Also a member of the Al Malaikah Shrine in Los Angeles, California
Was also with the York Rite
He was also a member of the Elk lodge of Santa Ana, California