William "Willie" Carlon, husband, Dad, "Papa" as he was most lovingly known, was born on February 17, 1937, and passed away on Friday, February 5, 2021. He passed away peacefully after weeks of battling illnesses, to include COVID-19, at Lompoc Valley Medical Center.

Papa joined the Marines after graduating high school. It was during this time that he met his wife, Arlene Carlon. It was love at first sight for Papa; he knew she was the one he was going to spend the rest of his life with. Much like the values and mindset he held as a Marine, he applied to his personal life. He used that uncommon willingness to fight, and focus on winning, to winning the heart of a young Arlene. She was his everything, and he, her everything. They were married for over 63 years.

He was a man that dedicated his entire life to ensuring the wellbeing of his loving wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Although he encountered challenges in his childhood and early adolescent years, through his strong will and determination, he achieved the type of success that many can only dream of. In part because he understood success was not limited to a profession but rather the foundation and stability of a home and family.

After leaving the Marines, he worked at Celite for close to 53 years as a heavy equipment operator. Quitting was certainly not part of his vocabulary, but somehow we convinced Papa to retire to fully embrace other aspects of life and did he ever. Upon leaving the workforce, Papa and his wife Arlene set out on multiple cruises that took them around the world, enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren play sports, walked his beautiful granddaughter down the aisle, and just learned to enjoy life – to be in the present as life has taught us that tomorrow is never promised.

Papa was a man of many attributes. He was kind, loving, generous, funny, trustworthy, and courageous. We loved his story-telling, his dedication to being a Broncos fan (we won't hold it against you Papa), his pride in serving our country, but most importantly, his unconditional love for his family. We will miss your stories Dad/Papa, your sense of humor, the love you showed us, your spirit, and your words of encouragement. In short, you were our everything, and we miss you Dad/Papa.

William was preceded in death by his parents, Pablo and Elisa Carlon, stepmother Libra Carlon, siblings Connie Perez, Isabel Garcia, Teddy Rosete, and Ray Perez, daughter Lori Carlon, and grandson Brice Fabing. He is survived by his wife Arlene Carlon; siblings Pablo Carlon II, Nora Linde, Flora Carlon, and Henry Carlon; children Dorine and Mark Fabing, Joanne and Scott Robbins; grandchildren Alicia and Steven Escobedo, Mark and Claudia Fabing, William and Samantha Fabing, Elicity and John Vasques, Brittany Fabing, Skye Fabing, Scotty Robbins, Levi Robbins, Daniel Robbins, Terrance Robbins, Sarah Robbins, Deborah Calfo, Ashley and Khale Scherer; great-grandchildren Kaelyss Scherer, Harper Scherer, Troy Calfo, Silas Robbins, Olivia Fabing, Elizabeth Fabing, Mark D Fabing III, Penelope Vasques, Emmett and Ethan Escobedo, Astrid Fabing, and one more on the way.

An outdoor mass is scheduled for 11 am this Friday, February 12, 2021 at La Purisima Catholic Church. A military funeral will follow immediately at 1 pm at Lompoc Cemetery. Please remember to wear your mask, bring your own chair, and respect social distancing guidelines.

Memorial donations can be directed to the Brice Fabing Memorial Bikes 4 Kids at CoastHills Credit Union.