William Peter (Bill) Van Horn
Bill passed away on June 8, 2025, at the age of 88. He was born in Santa Barbara on November 5, 1936, to parents Hiram and Ann Van Horn. Growing up in Mission Canyon when it was a rural enclave, he attended local public schools graduating from Santa Barbara High School Class of 1954. Bill participated in many school activities, most notably as center on the 1953 Golden Tornado football team – also lettering on the track team. He was a long-time member of the ’54 Reunion Committee as well as the SBHS Alumni Assn.
Bill then attended and graduated from Claremont McKenna College, Class of 1958. He continued his football interest as center/linebacker during the limited substitution era for the Pomona Claremont Sagehens, tri-captain of the 1957 final combined team and selection to the all-conference team. He was proud to be installed in the Claremont Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame 2005.
Bill served in the Army Reserve 1958-1964. He was employed by the City of Santa Barbara as Administrative Assistant to Mayors Ed Abbott and Don MacGillivray 1961- 1967. Additional duties at various times during this period included Personnel Director and Acting Library Director. Bill especially enjoyed serving as staff support to the successful Shoreline Park Bond Issue Campaign Committee (his one and only campaign).
In 1962, Bill married Eleanor Dodson in Santa Barbara and two children, Steven (1965) and Joan (1971) completed their family. They had 37 happy years together.
Bill was employed by General Research Corporation performing contract administration duties 1968-94. He was Director of Special Contracts when he retired. Thereafter, he was the owner-manager of several residential rentals.
He participated in a variety of local community activities and organizations during the period 1960-2025: Jaycees Board of Directors 1963-64, Easter Relays Chairman 1961-62, Semana Nautic Assn. President 1973-74, Rental Property Assn. President 2003-04, Toastmasters Club #5, Channel City Club, SB Historical Society, SB Trust for Historic Preservation, Westerners, Ancient & Honorable Order of E. Clampus Vitas, Cosmopolitan Club, and the Santa Barbara Club.
Bill was lucky in love again in 2001 when he married Kay Saruwatari Yamada. They enjoyed 20 wonderful years together. He is survived by his son, Steven (Hilario); stepdaughters, Linda (Clint) Weisman, Adele (Willy) Yamada, Denise Yamada, Marie (Jeff) Yamada-Low; sister, Judith V.H. Hill; nephew, Alan (Victoria) Browning. He was predeceased by his first wife, Eleanor (1999), his daughter, Joan (2002), and his second wife, Kay (2021).
Bill’s family would like to thank Dr. Birken, Dr. Guenther, Wood Glen Senior Living and Cottage Hospital for his care. A family memorial service celebrating Bill’s life will be held at a later date.
