Obituary of William Mott

William "Bill" Edward Mott, passed away peacefully at home on June 9, 2024 at the age of 92. Bill was born January 19, 1932 in Beaver Falls, PA. He was one of 4 children born to Martha and Thomas Mott.  

Bill enlisted in the U.S. Airforce and left Beaver Falls in 1948. He was stationed in Texas where he attended Airplane and Engineering classes.  After A&E classes, Bill was transferred to Edwards Air Force Base in California where he served as an aircraft mechanic and flight chief for the next four years. 

In the summer of 1951, Bill met his wife Mary (Marge) at the United Service Organization (USO) in downtown Los Angeles. He would make the drive from Edwards Airforce Base to the USO in Los Angeles about once a week to visit with her. A few months into their courtship, he knew she was the one, so he asked Marge to marry him.  They were wed on June 7, 1952 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Los Angeles. 

Right after Bill was discharged from the Airforce, he went to work for North American Aviation. During that period, he developed a deep interest for watches and clocks. He attended a two year watchmaking school in Beverly Hills to develop technical expertise and professionalism in the horology industry.  Later in his career, he was sought out by Aerospace to complete sight surveys throughout Southern California, while using a portable solar telescope. Based off his recommendation, Aerospace went on to build two solar telescopes at its permanent location in 1970, known as the San Fernando Observatory.  Bill served as the Chief Technician of Operations until his retirement in 1995.

For all that knew Bill, his passions were very clear. He was a car enthusiast, horologist, aircraft aficionado, and joke teller.  He was a very mechanically and technically inclined man who could carry a conversation for hours with anyone talking about car specs, watch movements and military aircraft.  He could be found at the local car show with his 1948 Hudson Commodore or in his workshop fixing his latest watch. Bill was extremely skilled at making and fixing physical things with his hands and tools. It came to be a family motto that if something broke, you could bring it over to Bill because he could fix anything. 

Above all else, Bill will be remembered for his dedication to his family and friends.  He was strong and determined but had a soft spot for his children and grandchildren. He was extremely wise and provided sound advice. Bill is survived by his children Tom, Brian, and John (Kelly) Mott.  Grandchildren Kristen Lenox, Nicole Ancheta, Kari Lenox, Michael, Mark and Carson Mott and great-grandchildren Justin, Bethany, Emma, Krew, Ethan and Kolt. 

He is proceeded in death by his wife Marge, children Wendy and Greg, daughter-in-law Mary, brother Thomas "Cork" and sisters Eleanor and June. 

We will greatly miss him, his jokes, and his knowledge of all he has taught every generation after him. You may be gone from sight but will never be gone from our hearts. When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. You always knew how to find the best part of life and as your soul finds peace in the arms of the Lord, we want you to know that we will treasure your memory forever in our hearts and in our minds. 

Bill attended Saint Peter Claver Catholic Church for over 50 years. A funeral mass in his honor will be celebrated as follows:

St. Peter Claver

Thursday, June 27th, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

2380 Stow St.

Simi Valley, CA 93063
 

Graveside services to immediately follow at:

Assumption Cemetery

1380 Fitzgerald St.

Simi Valley, CA 93065