William B Regis

William B. Regis, known to his friends as Bill, was ninety-one years old when he passed from this earth to our Heavenly Father on January 9th, 2025, in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

He was born on March 3rd, 1934, in Santa Barbara, California, to Charles and Maria Regis. He had no siblings but was raised closely with his cousins Angie and Irene, and shared many adventurous escapades with them. He married Frances on June 20, 1954, at Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Santa Barbara, California. They adopted two children, Carl and Melissa, to complete their family.

Bill began his career working on the Santa Barbara Library Bookmobile, but soon after, moved to the Santa Barbara City College library, where he remained until his retirement.

In March of 1969, he joined the California School Employees Association. He was elected CSEA President in 1986 and served a two-year term, after which he was made a life member. He was the Chair of the Retiree Unit Executive Board for a number of years, and he remained an active member of CSEA, serving on his retiree councils executive board and attending the annual conference in person until July 2024. His many friends on the board missed him and kept in constant contact with him.

Bill was an accomplished pianist and played daily as a young man, filling the house with music. He was an avid reader of thrillers and mysteries, consuming two to three books a week. He appreciated the arts and often treated his family to stage productions and musical theatre. He contributed to many charities, with his two favorites being Saint Jude and the Special Olympics. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Association of Retired Persons, volunteering many hours.

He moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico in 2016 to be closer to family and enjoyed ten years as an active grandfather and great-grandfather. His presence was cherished at every birthday, holiday, and vacation. He was especially fond of the yearly family trip to Cloudcroft, New Mexico to find a Christmas Tree, have a picnic in the forest, and peruse the town shops together.

He is survived by his daughter, Melissa and spouse, Chris; his daughter-in-law, Diana; his grandchildren, Charles, Randall and spouse Katie, Lily and spouse James, Sullivan, Robert, Jeremiah and spouse Joel, Angela, and C.J.; his great-grandchildren, Miranda, Annabelle, Carter, and Jacks. He was predeceased by his wife, Frances, in 2002 and his son, Carl, in 2023.

His funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, January 15th, 2026, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Las Cruces, New Mexico. Visitation will be at 9:30 am, followed by a funeral Mass at 10:00 am. The officiant will be Father Mike. Pallbearers will be Charles, Randall, Dylan, Robert, Jeremiah, and Joel. He will be laid to rest with his wife at Calvary Cemetery in Santa Barbara, California at a later date.