William Hambleton

After graduating from Oklahoma State University, he worked in the cattle business and eventually managed ranches in Oklahoma & California. After getting his teaching credential & Masters in Agriculture from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, he taught “Ag” at Chowchilla Union High School for 5 years, enjoying all of his many Ag students. He developed strong roots in the Chowchilla community and enjoyed living there for over 15 years.

Bill Hambleton was the consummate agriculturalist. He spent over 30 years with the University of California's Cooperative Extension, a part of the University's Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources where his primary involvement was with production agriculture and 4-H youth programs. He was one of three administrators working with congressional representatives from California who wrote the 1985 Farm Bill to fund problem solving research opportunities for county-based scientists. During this time he also helped start a food program for the needy. He spent the last 10 years of his University of California career as Director of the Cooperative Extension's South Central Region, overseeing 12-counties that were the most productive farming communities in the United States.

He worked with an advisory committee of 20 agricultural leaders who formed "Friends of Agricultural Extension." His legacy includes the ongoing leadership and effectiveness of this support group which is active in internal and external political activities, program planning and development, and serves as a self-motivating brain trust directed toward the solution of the many challenges facing agriculture as we enter the 21st century.

After his retirement from the University in 1995, he was employed part-time as the Agricultural Advisor to the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District to assist agricultural leadership to develop economically valid solutions to the problem of reducing harmful particulate matter in the air and served on the National Agricultural Air Quality Task Force of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Bill was a highly decorated and honored agriculturalist for the state of California. Recipient of numerous awards, among the most cherished was his induction into the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame Class of 1996 at the University of Oklahoma.

During the ‘90s, Bill pursued another passion….skiing! A sport he had loved with the family for years, he started pursing teaching skiing and for 2 days every week during each season, for many years, would go up the mountain to Dodge Ridge and enjoy introducing the sport to many people of all ages.

But most importantly, he was an outstanding father to two daughters, grandfather to four grandchildren, and great grandfather to 14 great grandchildren. As important to him as being advisor and friend to farmers of over 200 crops, was presiding over numerous family gatherings and meals and helping with every type of family project, including being the best Christmas tree salesman at one of his son-in-law’s Christmas Tree Farm. A man of strong faith, he and his late wife of 67 years, Melba (grammar school sweethearts), were active participants of every church they ever attended, including Bill organizing and leading well-attended Bible study meetings. Several years after Mel passed, he married Carol Ollenberger. They had a wonderful companionship for nearly 4 years, sharing many laughs and enjoying doing things in the Fresno community together.

He is survived by his two daughters, Peggy Moore and Janice Rucker, two son-in-laws, four grandchildren and their spouses, and 14 great grandchildren, every one considered his favorite!

He was a larger-than-life one-of-a-kind type of guy that will truly be missed by everyone who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to Hinds Hospice of Fresno or Multiple Sclerosis Achievement Center, 7777 Greenback Lane, Citrus Heights, 95610. Bill’s celebration of life will be held on July 23 at 2 pm at North Fresno Church, 5724 n Fresno St, Fresno.

Stephens & Bean Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stephensandbean.com for the Hambleton family.