Leonard “Len” Bolen
Leonard “Len” Bolen, of Colusa, CA, a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away of congenital heart failure on February 27, 2021, at the age of 77, in the Adv e n t i s t Heal t h a n d Rideout Hospital (Marysville, CA).
His battle with various medical issues in recent years showed just how courageous he was as he faced life’s challenges with a smile and a never-ending desire to help others. Despite the s t r uggles that came along with his health, Len remained positive and stayed strong until the end.
Len grew up in rural Nebraska, on a sharecropped farm where he and 5 siblings (Myrtle, Dave, Dale, Joe, and Charlie) worked tirelessly each and every day to make ends meet. Although he eventually left Nebraska and the farm for a life in California, the many skills he developed and his hardworking mentality translated well as he eventually transitioned to a career with PG&E where he was employed for 38 years.
Len and his wife Wanda met in the Bay Area and soon after they fell in love, eventually getting married in 1966. Together, they had 3 children: Kelley Hickel (husband Rob), J.R. Bolen (wife Melissa) and Kevin Bolen (wife Kari) while also welcoming Brad Waldrop (wife Andrea) and Carlos Rodriguez into their family. Over the years, Len’s family continued t o e x p a n d wi t h 1 0 grandchildren (Ashlyn, Jessica, Katelynn, Holley, Jillian, Emily, Ethan, Kayla, Kaiya and Kira) coming into the picture.
One of Len’s greatest virtues was his desire to help others. In doing so, he found himself volunteering his time in various capacities while living in Colusa. Some of his most notable work came as a Captain for the Sacramento River Fire Protection District of Colusa ( f or mally known as the Colusa Rural Fire Department), his work with Friends of Music, a Deacon with the First Presbyterian Church of Colusa, a volunteer for Stagehands Theater, supporter of the Colusa Redhawk Athletic Foundation and as a member of t he Colusa Rotary Club.
Len will be honored with a Celebration of Life service on April 3, 2021, at 11:00am, which will occur at the Sacramento River Fire Prot e c t i o n Di s t r i c t o f Colusa located at 235 Market St. in Colusa, CA.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to one of the following charities on his behalf: the Sacramento River Fire Protection District of Colusa, the Colusa Redhawk Athletic Foundation, Friends of Music and/or t he American Heart Association.
Wi l l i a m "Bill" Thompson, of Hallwood, passed away on March 11, 2021.
Born in Redding, to Mar v i n and Viola Thompson, Bill was raised in a logging family. The family moved to Marysville, when Bill was 6 a n d f a r med peaches, raised cattle, and hauled logs.
In 1974, Bill married Mary, the love of his life. They raised two boys, Ken and Scott. Bill worked for several logging companies and was a field service dispatcher for Tenco Tractor.
The love of logging led him to start BLT Trucking. In the mid 80s Bill started driving heavy equipment in the winters for Cal Trans. When a full-time position became available, he sold his truck to his n i e c e a n d n e p h e w, Tami and Fred Adamson. He retired from Cal Trans in 2009.
Bill l oved the outdoors and spent many camping, hunting, and fishing trips in the Sierras with family and friends. He was a family man always wanting to get the family together for birthdays, BBQ’S, and made sure we were always together for holidays. Many reunions and celebrations were spent in the 2 homes they built in Hallwood.
Bill is survived by Mary, his wife of 47 years; 2 children, Ken (Sofia) of Austin, Texas, and Scott ( Corina) of Molalla, Oregon; his sister, Alma Jean Zimmerman; 7 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; his bonus grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; as well as many, many, kids and young adults who called him “Uncle Bill”. Not only was he a huge mentor to them, but he was loved my so many.
A Celebration of Life will be held with a potluck of side dishes and desserts. Meat will be provided, on Saturday, March 20, 2021, 1:00 pm, at the Thompson home at 8125 Hallwood Blvd, Marysville.
SANGHA - Balbir Singh Sangha, 75, of Yuba City, CA, passed away March 14, 2021. Arrangements are under t he direction of Ullrey Memorial Chapel, (530) 673-9542.
SNYDER - Steven Snyder, 47, of Live Oak, CA, passed away March 6, 2021. Arrangements are under the direction of Ullrey Memorial Chapel, (530) 673-9542.