William "Bill" Herbert Ivey

William H. Ivey, 80, of La Quinta, California passed away peacefully on May 22, 2023 with his family by his side. Bill was born on October 24, 1942 at Seaside Hospital in Long Beach, California to loving parents John Bedford Ivey and Marjorie Kilner Ivey. Bill and his brother, John Jr., were raised in the Bixby Knolls area of Long Beach until the family moved to Palm Springs, California in 1957 to start the Ivey Ranch.

On the ranch, Bill learned the value of hard work, and skills like how to break horses, bail hay, brand and vaccinate cattle. Bill attended Palm Springs High School where he was Student Body President, and played football and basketball, graduating in 1960.

Bill attended and graduated from the University of Arizona, where he studied History and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. His greatest achievement in college was meeting the love of his life, Gail Nemitz. Bill and Gail fell in love instantly.

They married in 1966, and shortly thereafter, Bill joined the United States Army Medical Service Corp, where he served for 6 years. He was Company Commander of the 27th Mobile Surgical Army hospital in Fort Lewis, Washington when he took 200 of his men to Vietnam in 1968. He was stationed in Chu Lai for 12 months. Bill received the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Vietnam Service and Campaign Medals during his service career. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1972 as Captain.

Upon his return from Vietnam, Bill and Gail began their life together in Northern California where Bill worked in sales for American Hospital Supply Corporation. Within 3 years, he was promoted to Western Area Manager, and relocated to Tustin, California.

In 1973, Bill and Gail welcomed their first child, Taylor William Ivey, and in 1975, their daughter, Christina Elizabeth Ivey. Taylor and Christina were the greatest joys in Bill’s life. He loved to travel with the family to Sun Valley, attend Taylor’s baseball and basketball games, watch Christina’s track and field events, lead Indian Guides, teach the family to hunt and fish, and never let a good day of yard work go to waste. Bill was so proud of Taylor and Christina, the “two best children” he could ever ask for.

Bill received his real estate license in 1973 and began a career at Coldwell Banker in commercial real estate. Over the course of 2 decades with CB, Bill became Senior Vice President of CB Richard Ellis Company and successfully negotiated land deals all across the state of California.

Following in his father, Jack’s, footsteps, Bill joined the prestigious Rancheros Visitadores and was an active member of Campo Seco for the past 50 years. He so loved his yearly horseback ride with the Rancheros along the 60-mile trek in the Santa Ynez mountains.

Bill survived two battles with cancer, involving one stem cell transplant and one bone marrow transplant. Bill is a true survivor, beating the odds both times with Gail close by his side.

Bill is survived by his children, Taylor (Amy) Ivey and Christina (Eric Bryan) Ivey, and his grandchildren, Sienna and Luke Ivey. Bill will be remembered for his warm heart, his contagious laugh, and his true gentleman ways. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to City of Hope, UCLA Medical Center or American Cancer Society.

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