Obituary

The Radonich family William “Bill” Radonich, affectionately known as “Buzzard” or “The Old Buzzard,” passed away on January 27, 2025 in Santa Clara. He was 96 years old. Born in San Jose, Buzzard was the son of Billy and Katy Radonich. He grew up on the family farm in the Santa Cruz Mountains. At 10 years old, he was already helping around the farm, driving the tractor with the spray rig while his brothers sprayed.

At age 14, he drove the entire student body of Burrell School to Santa Cruz on the family’s truck. At 16, he would deliver and unload six tons of apples in San Francisco after school. Buzzard was the valedictorian of his Burrell School eighth-grade class of three students, a fact he often repeated to his grandchildren with pride. In high school, he was an all-American shortstop in baseball, started at both running back and linebacker in football, and was rumored to be an air- raid warden.

After graduating from Los Gatos High School in 1946, Buzzard married his sweetheart, Lynn Pfefferle. They had four sons: William, Gary, Ron and Greg. After losing his beloved Lynn to cancer, Buzzard later married her younger sister, Susan, with whom he lived for the remaining 56 years of his life. Together, they had one son, Rick. Buzzard was a devoted husband and father, and a devout Christian.

Buzzard helped found many businesses, including Rural Supply of Los Gatos, Radonich Brothers Trucking, Cal Coast Carriers, Radonich Roofing, Cal Coast Van and Storage, Los Gatos Roofing, Wildcat Metals, Buzzard Properties, and Cal Coast Telecom.

As he slowly retired, Buzzard spent his time attending the games and events of his many grandchildren and great- grandchildren, and maintaining his eight- acre farm. Buzzard was predeceased by his parents, his first wife Lynn, and his brother, Peter. He is survived by his beloved wife Susan, his sons (and spouses) Bill (Tina), Gary (Janet), Ron (Joanne), Greg (Lisa), and Rick (Ginger), his 22 grandchildren, his 26 great-grandchildren (he knew all their names and birthdays), his sister Nancy, and his brother Andy.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 1, at 11 a.m., at Mountain Bible Church, 23946 Summit Road. It will be followed by a public wake, reception, and celebration of life, beginning at 12:30 p.m., at Radonich Ranch, 25140 Highland Way.