Dear Bill, we miss your smile and presence all the time!

Thinking of you and missing you on this special day

Forever missed!

Always in our hearts and minds. Love, Stan & Barbara

Never Forgotten Capt'n. We love you. Stan & Barbara

Still missin' ya Captain. Love, Stan & Barbara

Happy birthday Grandpa...miss you always. -TD

Miss you Bill!

Hi Billy, things are good. Jackjack's car gets used now by his little brother Eli. I do wish they could have both known you.

A good man, great father and Lovomg Husband and a friend of mine. He is missed.

Nothing much changes anymore Capt'n. Same post as last year. Forever in our hearts.

Never forgotten Capt'n. We toast you every Taco night and remember you every time we see the beautiful stars and stripes. Stan & Barbara

Bill was one of the Senior Vehicle Project Engineers on the Apollo Program and continued on the Space Shuttle Program with North American/Rockwell. I can say that both programs were the best of the best in technical and operational success and a big part of Bill is in both. Bill also has the significant achievement of being a part of the annual northern New Mexico "Fishing Trip" with the BOOZE Brothers and championed the rite of the Olla Jug. Great guy.

RIP. Just saw this. Sorry he will be missed.

Miss you!

Well, it’s been a year since this wonderful man went home. I pray that he is catching lots of fish with God. To Bill and Pat’s friends, it has been a rough transition for Pat, but she has come out on the other side doing well, considering. After staying at our house last summer, she spent the winter and spring at their home in Boulder City and will be at our house again this summer through the hot season. 

Regarding Granby, after looking at all the rental options to be able to afford to keep the cabin, she did have to sell it but it has stayed within the family. Bret and Bonnie, whom I had the great pleasure to spend a bit of time with, now own the family cabin. I know that Bret has many fond memories of summers with his Gramps and Gran at the cabin, fishing in the lake and working at the marina. I know they will take great care of it and keep it open to the family. 

I hope you will find a moment to post a tribute or story about Bill, or perhaps about your life in the past year. Or maybe now that the edge of losing our friend has dulled a bit, you might contribute a chapter to Bill’s life story for his great grandchildren to read once they grow up. Or perhaps you have photos or video that can be uploaded for all to enjoy. Rest assured that I’ll continue to maintain this site.

Not only today, but every day you are missed and remembered Cap'n. Love, Barbara and Stan

This is the hardest missive I have ever penned. Good thing tears don't stain computer keyboards. Cap'n Bill was a man's man, a staunch patriot, and a loving and devoted husband and father. To me, he was: Our Brother-in-law; my best friend; my fishing buddy; my partner in enjoyment of seafood feasts; and abettor of my pyrotechnic propensities. I don't know how many times he saved my butt as my pinochle partner. We had so much in common that there is little I can do in my life henceforth without remembering him and the pleasure of his company. Who is going to help me with technical and mechanical problems now? He was my "go to" guy.

  I'm not sure if his favorite song was, God bless the USA, Boston Pops Orchestra, or North to Alaska, which I had to hear every day on our motorhome trip through Alaska and many times since.

  Bill and I caught more fish, killed more scotch, and enjoyed unusual seafood feasts more than any two men I know. We parted ways at apertifs however, each having an affair with the other's wife's taste for Grand Marnier (Barbara), and Baileys (Patricia).

  Bill was a superb cook. We enjoyed swapping recipes, notably, Billy's (Gramps) famous ribs, and my rendition of Drago's barbequed oysters. Hope the Todd clan keeps the rib recipe going.I could go on and on, but now I'm drooling.

  Our first real meeting was at Lake Powell for a weeks houseboat outing. Bill was very cool at first, and I thought, "This is going to be a long week". But, once he saw I was competent at boat handling/seamanship, he warmed up a bit. With his excellence at handling and maintaining the houseboat, and keeping the crew in line, I figgured I ought to call him Cap'n. That brought a big grin, and coupled with catching more huge striper than he'd ever seen, fireworks mischief,
catching holy hell for stealing some of Trish's chili to put in our scrambled eggs and cheese, we cemented our BBF for good.

  Bill's probably catching more kolanee, walleyes, and stripers than ever before. I hope there is plenty of scotch, ice, and Coors Lite where he's at. Dammit, we miss him and will forevermore.

My condolences to you Pat, you both were wonderful friends and I treasure the fun times we all had. You two were each special and together there wasn't anything you couldn't accomplish. Happy fishing in heaven Bill with your buddy Jocko! Love you both....

What a guy! I feel blessed to have know him, and you as well Pat. Bill always smiled and made me feel welcome whenever we met. I sure had some fun times with you two. He was loved by all.

True and True my grandpa. Miss you very much. I hope I make you proud.

My heart goes out to you Pat, and all your family. I know your pain. It will be 8 years tomorrow that I lost my best friend Jocko. Keep all the wonderful memories in your heart and know that Bill is right there beside you. I have many, many memories of fun times with the both of you. I miss you
Hugs, Gerie

Think of Bill, and you can reflect upon a life "well lived"...he was,unequivocally, one of the "good guys" that made up a team of Project Engineers that bonded into a "family". So many fond memories of Pig Parties/super bowl parties and a wonderful friendship! Pat, you are certainly not alone in in your sorrow...we ALL will miss him!

My name is Frank “Junie” Paul. I met Bill in third grade and we have been friends ever since. We played basketball, baseball and football as teammates through out school. Bill was a star when it came to the basketball court and the football field. The local newspaper nick named us the “Scatbacks!” Bill always inspired others and encouraged me to work hard at academics. We double-dated often, and Bill always enjoyed himself. As typical teenagers we were involved in a number of antics. There was the time we decided to direct traffic in downtown Austin.

I loved Bill’s whole family. Bill Sr. and Mary Jane unofficially adopted me as one of their boys. As Bill’s best friend I was often included in family trips, dinners, events and summers with the family at their lake house. These opportunities I would not have had, except for our close friendship. These are just a few of my fond memories of my dear friend, Bill.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Pat and the family. We have all known a great man and will hold him in our hearts.

Bill Todd was one of seven Senior Project Engineers on the Apollo and Space Shuttle Program for Rockwell International and one of the best. He knew how to project his Apollo/Orbiter vehicle through design release, the manufacturing process, test and checkout and followed it through to launch at the Kennedy Space Center. Bill was also an excellent "Pig Party" participant with his wife Pat in Temple City and Nevada City, CA, in the company of superior Project Engineers and their many friends and neighbors. He was a true Patriot being a retired member of the US Navy and yet, his Air Force and Marine friends did not hold that against him. Our prayers go out to Pat and family and those who knew Bill will affirm he will be missed. Ben and Janis Boykin

I am so grateful for Uncle Bill and there are so many memories that I cherish. During the NASA space programs, we eagerly waited for the mission letters and his contribution and the program's successes are a huge impacts to our daily lives and very appreciated. Uncle Bill help teach me about working on my first car including changing the oil, spark plugs, ignition system, etc. and I have had to chance to share this experience recently with my nephew, Calvin. Most of all, I cherish the times we spent at the cabin during summers while I worked at Highland Marina and lived with Gramps and Granny...great fishing, smoked kokanee salmon, laughing, etc. His legacy lives through his awesome children!

I am sorry to hear of Mr Todds death . As a close friend of Randy from down the street in Anaheim during the golden years of our OC childhood , I have good memories of Bills' generous and jovial nature . He had a open door policy at their home. He allowed us to turn his home into an Olympic coliseum with high jump/pole vault , pool and rubber baseball stadium with the best roll up wire mesh backstop in town . I had a fascination with his classic convertible hard top Thunderbird . One day he caught me snooping in his unlocked TBird and he gave me a full tour with explanation about the all the knobs and specs on the engine without judgement . Condolences to the family.
Bless you Bill for your kindness ,
Paul Blaze

Many, many fond memories between our families! Pool parties by the brick BBQ in Anaheim and so many after. He was always so kind to me!

I will miss you so very much, I loved listening to you and. Spike talk about football ,watching the smile on my husbands face and listening to the laughter as you and he were making your picks..many many wonderful memories out at the cabin and going fishing with you, I feel so blessed to of been a part of your life And so honored to be able to call you my father n law! YOU will always be a huge part of my life and forever in my heart, you are a beautiful angel in Heaven

Loved as a father. Adored as a husband. Respected as a patriot. All three, I know for a fact, as a grandfather. 

Bill was my step-grandfather…technically. But he seamlessly filled the role of grandfather. He taught me how to fish. He taught me about sports. He cared about me so incredibly much. And it was so very mutual. 

I wish I’d known him in the crescendo of his life. Perhaps I did, without even knowing it. The man was the sharpest ‘old guy’ I’ve ever met. Even in his last days I received word that he was, when lucid, just as sharp as ever. No doubt pissed at being babied. It’s amazing to me that it even came to that. I’ve never known a man over 80 to be so…self-sufficient. 

I don’t worry about him now…there’s no more improving the conditions of the dead.

But I wish I could. He was a great human being, above all else. He deserves, without hesitation, the best of whatever afterlife there is has to offer.

Death is all about timing. It blows my mind that he left this earth first. Of my four grandparents, he might very well have been the most adept at adapting. 

I don’t think any of us saw this coming a few years ago. He was an igneous rock in a sea atop otherwise sedimentary forms. He was the fighter, the one I knew would make it. 

I wasn’t surprised when I got the call, simply because I knew of his most recent ailments. But the permanence of it can’t yet set in. 

I’ll cry. I’ve cried for him already. I’ll certainly cry more still. Despite the months that we spent without a word to one another he was…a fixture. A solid piece of granite that withstood all force, or so it seemed. I am, in fact, shocked that any force could overcome him. 

Damn.


I miss him already, my American-beer-drinking, wife-complacent (in a wise way), Cubs-cheering grandfather. 

He was never my step grandfather. He was my grandpa. The one who called me TD. The one who was there for everyone else, perhaps instead of for himself. One of the most selfless beings I’ve yet encountered. A toast to you, grandfather. A cheer for you, grandfather. A life to you, grandpa. 

I hope I can make you proud, wherever you are.

Condolences to the whole Todd family. I know Bill loved watching Randy and Spike Todd wrestle and I am sure he is celebrating their many pins in Grappler's Heaven. Coach Dahlem