William "Bill" Thomas Pullen of Lompoc died on December 25, 2013, after an accidental fall in his home. William was born on October 30, 1934, in Los Angeles, California, to B.W. Pullen and Helen Marie Pullen. He attended schools in Los Angeles, California, and was well known in high school for his talented athletic abilities, especially football and track. He declined a football scholarship to USC and decided to serve his country and entered the United States Army in 1952. He excelled in marksmanship and driving various transport vehicles.

After his military service during the Korean War, Bill married Patricia Harris in 1955. After the birth of their two children, Barton in 1956 and Shannon in 1958, they moved away from their families in the Los Angeles area and ventured to Goleta, California, while taking on work with a large construction company. He enjoyed boating, fishing, camping, and golf while always having the latest cars, which included his 1957 Chevy, 1959 Impala, 1963 T-Bird, and others.

In 1970 Bill married his second wife, Cheryl Reisman, and lived in Santa Barbara for several years while working as a captain on the boats for the oil platforms. In 1975, Bill and Cheryl left the city life and moved to Maryland to become farmers on a family 140-acre farm for a few years until they came back to live in Lompoc to raise their son Michael who was born in 1980.

Bill later worked as a heavy equipment operator and then met his companion Sheila Prior and her Russian Blue cat Sam until cancer took Sheila's life in 2004. During his retirement years, he enjoyed spending many hours on the golf course and working part time as a marshal at the La Purisima Golf Course. He also loved to watch sports, especially football, basketball, NASCAR, and golf.

He grew in knowledge and wisdom through the trials and tribulations that life brings. Bill surrendered his life to the Lord Jesus Christ as a young man and dedicated his life helping others who struggled with addiction and recovery. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Helen, and brother Richard.

He loved his family dearly and had a special place in his heart for each of them. He is survived by his children, Barton Pullen, Shannon Pullen-Barrick, and Michael Pullen; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

There will be a viewing at 9:00 a.m. and a memorial service at 10 a.m. on December 31, 2013, at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary, 123 North A Street, Lompoc, CA 93436. Bill's family welcomes his friends to celebrate his life. To view information or leave a condolence please visit: www.starbucklind.com