William (Bill) Robert Heiden, age 68, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2023 in Lompoc, CA. He was born on May 19, 1955, in Savannah, GA at Fort Stewart to Robert and Virginia Heiden. The family settled in Lompoc, CA in 1958.

Bill attended Lompoc Sr. High, graduating in 1973. He ran track and cross-country, and received the top Scholastic Award for Photography in 1973, sponsored by Eastman Kodak. The prize was a trip to Europe on a Scholastic International scholarship grant. He attended Art Center College of Design, and San Francisco State University, receiving a B.F.A. in Fine Art Photography in 1978. He would go on to study computer science at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

After moving to Los Angeles, Bill enjoyed a 35-year career in visual effects systems technology and animation, which included work at Boss Film Studios, DreamWorks Feature Animation, Walt Disney Studios, and Klasky Csupo. Bill's work is credited on major motion pictures such as Air Force One, Multiplicity, and Desperate Measures.

Bill would practice fine art photography throughout his life, focusing on documentary and environmental subjects. He was known to his friends and family as a master BBQ chef and proud dog guardian to 5 beloved, irascible Dachshunds: Satch, Coco, Suki, Ike, and Jeff. Bill enjoyed going to concerts and basketball games and was a devoted L.A. Clippers fan. He returned to Lompoc in 2019, and was relishing his retirement and reconnecting with old friends in the quiet and peaceful community he remembered as a child. He will be greatly missed by all for his warmth, easy-going nature and wry sense of humor.

Bill was preceded in death by his father and mother, Robert and Virginia Heiden. He is survived by his sister Judy Lawlor (Marty), his brother John Heiden (Jeri); his niece Carrie Brunner (Tim), his nephew Kevin Ostrowski (Laura); his grandniece Riley Brunner, and his grandnephews Andrew Brunner, Thomas Ostrowski and Lucas Ostrowski.

A memorial to be scheduled at a later date.

Photo: Self-portrait, 1976