William N. Junk

William “Bill” N. Junk of Livermore died Feb. 1 from the effects of dememtia. He was 88.

He was born on Jan. 22, 1930, in Fresno to Frank and Laura Junk. When he was 2 years old, the family moved to Santa Cruz. There he attended Live Oak School, Branciforte Junior High School and graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1947. After trying college at Cal Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo, he joined the Air Force. Next came a job with California Research and Development in 1952; transitioning to the "Rad Lab"; and then retirement from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in 1990 after 37 years. He felt very lucky to have met and married the local woman who delivered his mail, Kitsy Peterman, in 1956. Memorable experiences as a couple were traveling the United States, a trip to Hong Kong and a cruise through the Panama Canal. Their daughter, Susan, was born in 1959.

Junk’s interests are shown in the many organizations he joined during the years in Livermore.

Supporting history by holding a life membership in the Livermore Heritage Guild, he served as a director and curator of the Duarte Garage and Lincoln Highway Museum. As one of the first drivers for the 1944 Mack firetruck, when the Guild acquired it from the city in December 1979, he was inspired to join the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Appreciation in America (SPAAMFAA). Joining the Ravenswood Progress League led to fond memories of helping each year at their ice cream social and yuletide. Junk also was a member of the Pacific Locomotive Association/Niles Canyon Railway and the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento. Car club membership included Livermore Block-Busters; Good Guys; Livermore Henry’s As; and F. A. S. T. (Fast “A” Speed Technology).

Junk was predeceased by his wife, Kitsy, in 1995; and older sister, Dolores Spangler, in 2017. He is survived by his daughter, Susan Junk; niece, Linda Kyle (Jeff), and her family, Kami Swedblom (Brandon) and their daughter, Zoe, Clay Kyle (Kristen) and their daughter, Ciella; nephew, Chuck Spangler (Diane) and their daughter, Alicia Spangler, and her son, Mason. A great easy-going guy, he will be missed by many friends and co-workers.

Services will be at Callaghan Mortuary, 3833 East Ave., Livermore. on Tuesday, Feb. 20. at 11 a.m. Remembrances to Junk may be made in the form desired by family and friends. Final resting place will be in the Memory Gardens Cemetery, Livermore. An online guestbook is available for condolences on the Callaghan Mortuary website.