WILLIAM THOMAS HURD

William Thomas Hurd, 94, of Seal Beach, California, passed away on April 15, 2026.

                   William Thomas Hurd, also known as Bill, was born in Brooklyn, New York on March 18, 1932, to James Aloysious Hurd and Nellie Helen Irene Hurd.

            He married Dorothy Anna (Amberger) on Saturday, April 2nd, 1955, in New York. Bill was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York.  When he was 20 years old, he joined the US Navy in 1952 where he was assigned to Bainbridge, Maryland for basic training. Bill was then assigned to the USS Altair with Norfolk, Virginia, as his home port. When he finished his military commitment, he returned home to live in Brooklyn until 1969 when he moved with his family to Seal Beach, California and lived there until his death.

            Bill only completed the 10th grade because times were tough back in 1947, and he dropped out to help his family financially, working numerous jobs like Western Union delivering telegrams, a pin setter at the local bowling alley and a paper boy. After serving in the US Navy, he worked with his brother at Primrose Plastics until 1969 when he was offered an opportunity to move his family to California and open a new plant in Los Angeles as plant manager. He worked for the company for nearly 30 years until it shut down. He then found work as a salesman at XL Sales selling paint products until his retirement in 1994.  Family was always first in his life, his lovely wife Dorothy was always the light of his life, as were his 5 children, 8 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.  Baseball was his favorite sport all his life, he played from childhood up to senior softball leagues in his 80s.  He coached little league in NY and when his own sons played, he coached them as well all the way up to pony and colt leagues.  His favorite team was the Brooklyn Dodgers, and he followed them even when they moved the team to Los Angeles.  His favorite player was #14 Gil Hodges. He even attended a senior baseball camp in Florida where he played under Tommy Lasorda, and Bill Russell.  He loved reading sports books, current events, Vegas and a little gambling.

            He was preceded in death by his parents, Nellie Helen Irene and James Aloysious Hurd and two brothers, James Jerome Hurd Jr and Frederick Eugene Hurd.

            He is survived by his wife Dorothy Anna Hurd of Seal Beach, CA; five children:  Dorothy Ann Patrick,(Michael) of Mission Viejo, CA, William Thomas Hurd Jr, of Garden Grove, CA, Catherine Jean Dunning (Robert) of Riverside CA, Robert James Hurd,(Susan) of Buena Park CA, and John Edward Hurd (Rebecca) of Garden Grove CA : eight grandchildren: Brandon Michael Patrick (Kristin), Christopher Daniel Hill, Brittany Anna Capretz (Thomas), Shannon Elizabeth Patrick, Kelli Elizabeth Sorrell (Danniel), Karissa Jean Still (Matthew), Nicole Ann Hurd, and Ryan Thomas Hurd; and six great-grandchildren: Wyatt Brandon Patrick, Alexandra Anne Capretz, Harper Rae Still, Hailey Rose Still, Oliver James Capretz, and Brooklyn Elizabeth Sorrell.

         Family and Friends may join the Hurd Family at Akes Family Funeral Home, 9695 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, CA 92503 on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 starting at 10:00 o’clock in the morning. Graveside committal service will be conducted with Military Honors, Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 1:15 o’clock in the afternoon at Riverside National Cemetery. 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 92518. 

Arrangements Entrusted To The Care of Akes Family Funeral Home, Riverside, California.

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