William (Bill) Varney

William C. (Bill) Varney died peacefully December 10, 2020, at Villa Alamar, Santa Barbara, where he had lived his last seven years, in the final stages of 26 years of deterioration from Parkinson’s disease. Born August 23, 1942, in Pennsylvania, Bill spent his youth in Pasadena, and lived his remaining years in Santa Barbara, where he obtained a Ph.D. in political science, and Washington, DC, where he worked for the World Bank. He met Bill W in 1966. Bill taught himself shorthand, and used it to take dictation at the bank. Bill also taught himself to read and write Russian; he even subscribed to a Russian newspaper, although he never visited – or wanted to visit – the country. While never married, Bill had many devoted friends from Pasadena, Santa Barbara, and Washington. Bill considered Max, Susan, and Carla Neufeldt his family, and he lived with them for many years while in Santa Barbara.

At dinnertime he would eat with the Neufeldt family; he always appreciated everything cooked, especially since when he was on his own, he lived on a diet of hot dogs and frozen mixed vegetables, warmed by hot water from the tap. Bill loved animals but was allergic to cats, so he would pet the family cat with his foot, eliciting purrs. He was quite attached to his friend Linda Liker-Taylor’s dog, Duke, who visited him at Villa Alamar, where Bill could pet him. Bill had a ready sense of humor and deep loyalty to his many friends. He, as he was then, is sorely missed by his friends.