William “Bill” Daley, a devoted husband, father, and community pillar, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2024.
A proud U.S. Navy veteran, Bill served in Vietnam, where he met his first wife, Thanh. Together, they moved to Fieldbrook, California, where they raised four strong and spirited daughters whom he faithfully supported — cheering them on at school sports, guiding them on backpacking adventures, and always keeping their cars running.
Bill co-owned the Fieldbrook General Store with his brother Ron, creating a welcoming place that became the heart of the town. His lifelong friendship with Ron was a cornerstone of his life; they shared a love of sports, camping, and family holidays. From the early days of running the store to later years attending church and enjoying coffee together, Bill and Ron remained inseparable, merry companions.
Bill and Thanh built a wonderful Fieldbrook community and a warm and loving home that was always open to family, friends, and animals. Her gracious cooking and his endless creative projects made their house a special gathering place filled with laughter. Bill cherished fishing trips and celebrations with dear friends — the Snyder, Sweeney, and Albert families — where he felt happiest surrounded by nature and community.
After Thanh’s passing, Bill found renewal in landscaping and building a new life with his second wife, Le. Together, they shared faith, humor, and companionship that brought him joy and comfort.
Bill’s love for his community was evident in all he did — from helping families in need to mentoring kids who needed guidance. He had a passion for music, photography, and sports, and he shared those passions through community events like the annual Halloween costume contest and his ever-popular NFL football pool.
Bill is survived by his wife, Le; his daughters, Teri, Lorraine, Marcia, and Holly; his stepson, Ngan; his brother, Ron Daley; his sister-in-law, Shelley Daley; his stepsisters, Rose Parks, Elaine Noonan, and Janet Reid; his niece and nephew, Kelley and Trevor Daley; and his grandchildren Thanah, Emily, Austin and Spence. He was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Chanh “Thanh” Daley.
Bill will be remembered as a loving father, devoted brother, and beloved member of the Fieldbrook community. His kindness, generosity, and zest for life touched all who knew him, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of family and friends.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Friday, September 12, 2025, at the Fieldbrook Winery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Thanh & Bill Daley Memorial Fund or Karuna Animal Rescue, honoring his spirit of service and compassion. For more information, please email: martinholly173@gmail.com
This article appears in ‘Come Back Young Again’.