WEAVERVILLE, Calif. — William (Bill) Harris Sanborn, 81, passed away peacefully surrounded by friends in Redding, Calif., on Monday, March 27.

He was born in Farmington, on Aug. 4, 1935, son of Helen Estelle Harris and Norman Francis Sanborn. Bill attended school in Weld (where his mother and grandmother were teachers) and was recognized for perfect attendance. He graduated from Weld High School, Class of 1953, with three other students: Nellie Clemens, Orson (Orka) Storer and Bertron Conant.

Bill attended Farmington State Teachers College and served in the U.S. Army before moving to Brookline, Mass., where he became a successful automobile salesman for various dealerships including Volkswagen and Porsche. Bill was especially proud of a sale he made to Boston Pops conductor Arthur Fiedler.

He later lived in Florida for a short time before moving to California. He was an open-minded, free-spirited adventurist who visited many European countries in his younger years. As an artist he enjoyed drawing, woodworking, stained glass, photography, listening to a variety of music genres and sailing.

Bill was predeceased by his parents and his dearest aunt, Hester R. Harris; sisters, Jean Carolyn Johnson and Norma Frances (Bunny) Clemens; nephews, Bruce Johnson, Elijah White III; and a niece, LaDonna White.

He is survived by nieces and nephews, Carl Johnson Jr. and wife, Rosalie, of Livermore Falls, Susan Johnson Storer and husband, Scott, of Weld, Daniel Johnson and companion, Jackie, of Weld, Christopher Johnson and wife, Zilla, of Rumford, Jo L. White Spielvogel and husband Stephen of Strong, Laurie White McCabe and husband Dennis of Lake Forest, Calif., Betsy Clemens and companion, Jason Hickey, of New Vineyard; great-nieces, Angela Storer Alexander of Farmington, Krista Storer Ryder of Wilton and Nicole White Sillik of Farmington; one great-great-nephew; four great-great-nieces; and a very special lifelong friend, Bert Conant of Deltona, Fla.

William Harris Sanborn

Copy the Story Link