PDG Bill Plunkett Passes Away

 
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of LA5 Past President and Past District Governor, Bill Plunkett. He passed away in his sleep on August 9th after a short illness.   A family service was held. His wife, Harriet, said “Bill lived a wonderful 87 years and is at peace with our Lord now.”
 
Bill was a native of Los Angeles. He grew up admiring cars and by age 5 he could recognize automobiles merely by hearing the sound of their horn. He attended Harvard Military School from the 7th - 12th grades and graduated in a class of 45. When he graduated high school he received a brand new Studebaker without a radio and including tax and license, it cost $1,582.01!
 
He attended Amherst College in Massachusetts, where he received a BA degree in Economics. The automobile business was Bill’s avocation as well as vocation since college. He started his business life selling Studebakers in Beverly Hills, and in 1955 became a Studebaker/Packard dealer in Fullerton, California. DeSoto, Plymouth and Pontiac followed. He was a Volkswagen dealer in Sunland, California from 1963 to 1981. He was also President of Plunkett Leasing Company which he opened in 1968.
Bill joined LA5 in 1975, and was President of the 700-member club in 1986-87. He was an LA5 Director and Club Secretary.  At LA5 he helped establish two great programs:  D.A.R.E. between LA5 and the LAPD, and the Distinguished Citizens Program. He served as District Governor in 1989-1990.
 
He was President of several other organizations in Los Angeles and Pasadena. He was a long time member of San Marino Community Church. He was an avid collector of classic and special interest cars. He also loved his home, garden, and his family.
 
He will be missed by his wife Harriet of 54 years, his daughter and son-in-law Patricia and Rudy Colonello, son William Haake Plunkett, grandson William Connor Plunkett, and the family dog, Sandy. Both Bill and Harriet are Paul Harris Fellows.
 
Memorial donations may be made to the Pasadena Guild of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, P.O. Box 51101, Pasadena CA 91115