William Edward ‘Bill’ Zidbeck

IMPERIAL BEACH — William (“Bill”) E. Zidbeck of Imperial Beach, California passed away at his home on March 14th, 2021 at the age of 88. Bill was born June 7th, 1932 in Ancon Canal Zone, Panama to George Zidbeck and Lilly Seaburg Zidbeck. He was raised in the Canal Zone until the age of 12 when he moved with his mother, older brother George and younger sisters, Lillian and Louise to Corona, California.

Bill attended Corona High School and graduated valedictorian of his class in 1950. He attended Stanford University on an NROTC scholarship and met his wife, Jo Ann (“Jody”) Marie Hill of Alhambra, California. Bill was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy on June 12th, 1954, then graduated with a Bachelor

June 7, 1932 - March 14, 2021 of Science degree in Biology and was married to Jody in the Stanford Memorial Church on June 13th, 1954.

Bill’s naval career saw him earn his aviator “Wings of Gold”, become an NROTC instructor at the University of Southern California, serve with two helicopter squadrons in HS-5 and HS-6 in Imperial Beach, California and Hamburg Germany. He served deployments to the South China Sea in 1964 and 1966, and to the North Atlantic and Mediterranean in 1970.

Bill attended the Naval War College and earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Southern California Graduate School of International Relations in 1969.

After being promoted to the rank of Captain, Bill held two commands, first at the Naval Air Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and finally at the Naval Education, Training and Support Pacific. He retired from the Navy in 1984.

In 1965, while stationed in San Diego, Bill and Jody welcomed their first adopted child, son, William Scott. In 1967, while assigned to Key West, Florida, they adopted their second child, daughter Suzann Marie.

After retiring from the Navy, Bill went on to attend San Diego State University and received his teaching credentials.

He taught high school Biology at Castle Park High School in Bonita, California from 1985 to 1988. In 1987 he helped to found the Imperial Beach branch of the Optimists Club and the Friends of the Imperial Beach Library in 2001.

Bill passed while active and living independently at his home in Imperial Beach. Bill was a prolific volunteer and considered by many to be a pillar of the Imperial Beach community. Bill was dedicated and loving to his family, friends, community and country.

He is survived by his son Scott and his wife Samantha and Bill’s four grandchildren, Matthew, Sarah, Luke and Hannah. He is also survived by his daughter Suzy and her husband Jeffery Riddell. Time and date of services will be determined soon.

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