William George Ahern

May 18, 1939 – May 28, 2021

On Friday, May 28, 2021 Bill passed away unexpectedly at 82 years old. Bill was born on May 18, 1939 to William Richard Ahern and Wilberta Elizabeth Walsh-Ahern in San Francisco, CA. Bill graduated from Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley, CA and proudly served in the United States Army where he was stationed at Fort Ord in Monterey, CA.

Bill met the love of his life on a blind date, and soon after married Lea Claire Carlisle-Ahern on September 20, 1964. They have three children, Jean Loreen, William Garrett & Kathleen Susan, and have 2 grandchildren, Brady William and Garrett William. Throughout the years, Bill’s other children were of the four-legged variety. From his childhood dogs, Eb & Junior, to Pro, Mini, Tinkerbell, Misty, Sugar, Pumpkin, Tessie, Ruby and the most recent, Kirk & Gus.

Growing up, Bill enjoyed playing baseball, duck hunting, summers at Stinson Beach and skipping school to see the San Francisco Giant’s play baseball at Seal Stadium. He was an avid Giant’s fan for life, through thick & thin, wins & losses and all of the “torture” that comes with Giant’s baseball. When he wasn’t watching or reading about the Giant’s he was usually out playing golf or hunting for ducks & doves (and golf balls). After high school, college wasn’t in the cards for Bill, however a career in Gaming was. While living in Lake Tahoe and then in Gardnerville, NV, he enjoyed a 26-year career at Harrah’s Tahoe beginning as a Keno runner and ending as a Shift Manager. After leaving Harrah’s, Bill & Lea switched gears and bought a Honey Treat Yogurt franchise in Carson City, NV, which they owned for 6 years. Gaming came calling again and they were off to Greenville, MS (Cotton Club, 2 years) and Santa Fe, NM (Cities of Gold, 10 years) where he had the opportunity to help re-start and manage two casinos. In 2005 it was time to retire and move to San Tan Valley, AZ. Baseball, golf, hunting and being closer to his kids and grandkids became his life of retirement.

Bill was preceded in death by his father, William, and his mother, Wilberta. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lea, his daughter Loreen (husband Kim Fornshell), his son Bill (wife Sue Garcia), his daughter Kathy (husband Kevin Vandelac), and his two grandsons, Brady and Garrett.

There will be a Celebration of Life gathering with family and close friends at The Golf Club at Johnson Ranch on June 28. In lieu of flowers, please make a charitable donation in Bill’s memory to Freedom Service Dogs of America, 7193 S Dillon Ct, Englewood, CO 80112 / www.freedomservicedogs.org/donatefsd