Obituaries
April 05, 2013
Obituaries
Charles William “Bill” Saviers
At 8:15 PM on March 30, 2013, we lost a great man. Charles William “Bill” Saviers went home to his Lord surrounded by his family. Born August 30, 1929 in Oxnard to the union of Charles (Charlie) and Clara Saviers. Bill grew up in Wheeler Canyon outside Santa Paula raising cattle with his dad.
As a teenager, Bill and some buddies were hanging out at a July Festival in Santa Paula and met a new girl. He learned her name was Louise Williams, she was from Fillmore, and turned out to be the girl for him. Bill and Louise were married in 1949 in Santa Paula. In the years to come, their family grew with the birth of son Michael, and daughter Vicki.
In 1952, during the Korean War, Bill volunteered to serve his country in the United States Navy. He was stationed at Port Hueneme where he was assigned as an ambulance driver. After being discharged from service, Bill and Louise returned to Santa Paula where Bill went to work in the oil fields for the Max Rudolph Company.
In 1961, Bill joined the Santa Paula Police Department, rising to the rank of captain. Although in a management position, at heart Bill was always a cop’s cop. He balanced fairness and compassion with his duties and was committed to the community. One of the proudest memories of his police career was attending the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia where he earned the J. Edgar Hoover Award for the highest overall academic score in his class. Bill retired from the police department in 1978.
Returning to the private sector, Bill went to work as a manager for Petroleum Construction Incorporated, the new name of the Max Rudolph Company. Working in the local oil production business was nearly equal to his love of his law enforcement career. Many stories were told of harrowing drives into the Sespe, Tar Creek, and Hopper Canyon.
Family summer vacations were a priority of the Saviers family. Often spent in the Eastern Sierra’s, at Lopez Lake, or along the California coast. That usually included a camper, a ski boat, and a load of fishing rods. As an avid deer hunter, Bill hunted local ranches around Santa Paula, Colorado and Utah. The antlers of the 12-point Mule Deer buck he took in Colorado still hang on his bedroom wall.
Bill Saviers will be remembered for his trademark pipe and perfect white hair (It’s not a pompadour!), western shirts with rolled sleeves, and cowboy boots. God and family came before all else, no matter the time of day or night, or what other plans he may have had, he would be there for his children and grandchildren. Through hundreds of softball games and little league games, dance recitals, and all the other events families participate in, Grandpa and Mimi were there, supporting their kids and grandkids.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Clara Saviers, and by his in-laws, Silas and Atlas Williams. He leaves behind his wife of 63 years, Louise, son Michael (Tressa) Saviers of Fillmore, daughter Vicki (Mike) Horne of Santa Paula; grandchildren Brandi (Julian) Macias, Christopher (Jessica) Cook, Jacob Saviers and Hannah Wishart-Saviers; great granddaughters Averee Cook and Emma Phelps; Brothers- in- law Ferrill Wiiliams and Farris (Linda) Williams of Oregon; and Godson Ferrill Williams, Jr., and numerous nieces and nephews. He was a lifelong member of Saint Sebastian Church in Santa Paula and attended Mass every Sunday until physically unable.
The family would like to offer special thanks to Dr. Mike Tushla and Dr. Michael Swartout, Hospice Nurse Sherri, and Caregivers Shielah, Evelyn, and Elma for their love and compassion during a difficult time in our lives. And to Romeo Lopez, Bill’s favorite barber, who came to the house to keep that trademark hair looking perfect (It’s not a pompadour!). You are all a blessing to our family.
Rosary will be held on April 5, 7:00 pm at Skillin-Carroll Mortuary, 738 E. Santa Paula, Street, Santa Paula. Mass will be conducted April 6, 12:00, at Saint Sebastian Church, 235 9th Street, Santa Paula. Burial will follow Mass at the Santa Paula Cemetery, 380 Cemetery Road, Santa Paula.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Santa Paula Police Officers Association, P.O. box 190, Santa Paula, Ca. 93061.
Catherine “Kay” Miller Botke
A cherished member of the community, Catherine Miller Botke, 95, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2013 in the presence of loving family.
Kay was born in Defiance, Ohio on November 26, 1917 and spent her childhood in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Alameda, California. She graduated with a degree in Geology from the University of California, Berkeley, where she met her husband of over 60 years, William “Bill” Botke, who died in 2002.
For more than 65 years, Kay lived in Wheeler Canyon in Santa Paula and in Ventura. She worked at Briggs Elementary School so that she could be involved in her children’s education and spend time with them during school breaks. It was important to her that all four of her children received college degrees.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Botke; brothers Horace Miller and William Miller; sister Mary Kronke; and daughter-in-law, Francie Botke.
Kay was an avid reader, traveler, and played an active role in community museums and the arts. She is survived by sons Richard Botke and John Botke; daughters Kitty Seemel and Mary Stokes; sons-in-law Kenny Seemel and Ken Stokes; daughter-in-law Lorraine Sandman; grandchildren Peter Botke, Matthew Botke, Jake Botke, John Botke, and Regan Stokes; great-grandchildren Rachel Botke, Madi Botke, Jack Botke, and Liaym Stokes Horack; and dearest friends, Arthur and Gloria Aragon.
Private services will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Santa Paula Art Museum, 117 N. 10th Street, Santa Paula CA 93060.
