William Hugh Baber III ’68, J.D. ’71, a retired attorney, pilot and family man, passed away on Monday, October 24th at age 69. Bill was born and raised in Willows, California graduating Willows High School in 1964. At Willows High, he played baseball (catcher), basketball and football, where he was a proud "Willows Honker." As a teenager, Bill spent many weekends playing golf at the Glenn Golf and Country Club. Growing up in Willows, Bill loved to spend time with his father and grandfather on their nearby ranches. His father, William H. Baber, Jr., was a well respected sheep rancher and past president of the California Wool Growers Association. Bill was very proud of his father’s military service in defending our country as a lead Bombardier in WWII. Bill’s grandfather, Hugh Baber, managed the Llano Seco Rancho in Butte County and was inducted into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City in 1971. "Hugh Baber Lane" at the Llano Seco was named in his honor. Bill’s mother, Suzanne La Force Baber, was a shining star in his life. A classical pianist from Midland, Texas, Sue started the Junior League in Willows and played the piano and organ at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. She was much beloved by her husband and two sons, Bill and his brother, Clark. Bill was also very close with his family in Texas. Watson La Force, his maternal grandfather, was a renowned businessman in the independent oil and gas industry. His efforts for the community of Midland’s flying transportation work resulted in the current development and operation of the Midland International Terminal. Watson too had a street named after him, "La Force Blvd." When Bill was growing up, his grandfather and grandmother would take him for rides in their twin engine Cessna. Bill always attributed his love of flying to his grandfather. In 1968, Bill graduated from Santa Clara University with a degree in Political Science. He went on to attain a law degree from Santa Clara Law School in 1971 following his clerkship in a large law firm in Midland, Texas. In college and law school, Bill had a very special group of friends. There were always many fun stories and a lot of laughs following their fly fishing, hunting and golfing adventures. Following passing the State Bar on December 7, 1971, Bill practiced law with the Minasian Law Firm in Oroville, California for 32 years. His practice included water rights, civil litigation and business law. As a young litigator, Bill brought a case, "Royal Globe," before the California Supreme Court and won. In 1974, Bill moved to Chico and started his family. He loved to take his family skiing: Squaw Valley, Snow Mass, Aspen and Vail were some of his favorite ski resorts. Bill’s children started skiing at age three. Because of his very adventurous spirit, Bill encouraged his family to ski the black diamond slopes, ski the powder through the trees and helicopter ski. Bill was an avid pilot and loved to fly for both business and pleasure. He received his private pilot’s license in 1979, the year his son, Scott, was born. Flying his family to the Nut Tree for breakfast and taking the train to the restaurant was one of Bill’s favorite flying trips. Physical activities and sports with family and friends were always a passion for Bill. He really enjoyed duck and pheasant hunting with his son and Uncle Jack in Colusa as well as fly fishing with his family in Deer Creek and Alaska. Golf, snow skiing, water skiing, tennis and jogging through Bidwell Park were some of Bill’s favorite pastimes. Most every Sunday, Bill attended St. John’s Episcopal Church with Father Richard Yale. He felt blessed to be part of a loving, positive church community. Bill’s zest for life and contagious laugh will always be remembered. He was very grateful to spend special time with his children and grandchildren. Bill is survived by his two children, Kelly Kristine Nelson and Scott Baber; his four grandchildren; his Uncle Jack Baber; his nephew Mike Baber, and his niece, Melissa Baber; his aunt and uncle, Watson and Patti La Force and four cousins, including  Jack "Jon" Baber M.B.A. ’86.