Obituary of Lawrence William Riddell

Lawrence William (Bill) Riddell. 1933-2024

Bill Riddell, age 90, Del Rey Oaks, CA, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on April 3, 2024.

Bill was born in Manteca, CA, and grew up in Pacific Grove where he formed many lifelong friendships. A Korean War veteran, he served in the Navy in the Pacific. He became an early software pioneer, first employed as a computer programmer for Stanley Aviation, and then working in computer hardware sales for NCR in Denver, CO. He founded his own software company, Softpack, in the 1970s in Fort Collins, CO. He would reside in Colorado for many years, later employed in the banking industry, and becoming an avid skier, hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman. He volunteered with the Colorado Ski Patrol and helped establish PARTNERS, a youth mentoring program in Fort Collins. Earning his private pilot’s license, he delighted in flying Cessna aircraft in the western states and Alaska, honing an expertise in mountain flying. Bill returned to his Monterey peninsula roots in the 1980s and became active in the local chapter of Lions Club International where he once served as president. He also enjoyed playing golf at local courses where he previously caddied as a teenager, including Pebble Beach. Bill loved football, rooting in equal measure for the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos. With his wife, Donna, he enjoyed traveling with regular visits to their vacation spot in Genoa, Nevada, and trips to Europe and the western states. A storyteller by nature, he liked to find the humor in daily living and leaned toward positive outcomes in life situations.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of nearly 25 years, Donna, his son David, and his wife, Lucille, of Punta Gorda, FL, his son, Steven, and his wife, Jan, of Fort Collins, Co, as well as two grandsons, Benjamin and Jonathan, and five great-grandchildren. A memorial service is being planned. He will be interred at California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery near the Fort Ord National Monument