William Ramsey

William “Bill” Ramsey August 09, 1932 – October 08, 2024

Bill Ramsey, a native of Salinas California, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, October 8 th , 2024 in Hamilton Montana. Bill was 92. Bill was born and raised in Salinas, married his High School sweetheart, Marlene Sbrana, in 1951, served 4 years in the United States Navy, and landed back in the Salinas Valley to make his mark in the agriculture business. He and Marlene raised 4 children, and were married for 68 years until her passing in 2020. With his partners H.W. Mann and Don Nucci, Bill had one of the most successful produce businesses in the Salinas Valley, Mann Packing Company. Since 2023, he resided in Hamilton Montana to be near his daughter, Rebecca Sturvist, and her family. During Bill’s business years he served on many boards. President of the Grower Shipper Association, chairman of the Board of Western Growers Association of California and Arizona, and was appointed to the California Department of Food and Agriculture by Governor Pete Wilson. Bill was presented with the “Agricultural Leadership Award” by the Salinas Chamber of Commerce, and was honored to receive the third annual “Distinguished Service Award” from the California Women for Agriculture. He received the “Award of Honor” presented by The Western Growers Association for distinguished service to the California and Arizona fresh produce industry, and was privileged to testify twice before the United States Congressional sub-committee in Washington DC regarding agricultural problems of the day. In 2010, Bill was presented with “The E.E. Harden Life-time Achievement Award” presented by the Grower Shipper Association of Central California in appreciation of his “significant contribution to the Central Coast agricultural industry”. And, in 2019, was awarded the “Growing Future Leaders Award, presented by the Boy Scouts of America Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council for his contributions to the agriculture industry and to Salinas in particular. Community was very important to Bill. Very early on in Bill’s life he was actively involved in the Salinas community and in 1967 was recognized as “The Outstanding Young Man in Salinas” by the Salinas Jr. Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the Salinas City School Board and was President that same year. He was an honorary life-time member of the California PTA, was a director of the California Rodeo for 15 years, and served on the board of the “Sun Street Alcohol Rehabilitation Center”. He served on both the Community Foundation for Monterey County and The National Steinbeck Center. Along the way, Bill became a dedicated long-distance runner, recording over 18,000 miles of running over a span of 25 years, competing six marathons, including The Boston Marathon. While traveling to Japan and China on behalf of the Western Growers Association of California and Arizona, he took the opportunity to run in Hong Kong, Tokyo and the Great Wall of China. Though Bill was busy with business and community he and Marlene managed to raise 2 sons and 2 daughters, and make a beautiful marriage work for 68 years. Enjoying Dance Club, traveling the world, taking the time to enjoy the Santa Cruz mountains at the family cabin in Felton, skiing at Dodge Ridge and North Star in Tahoe. Later on, enjoying all the activities in being a grandpa of 11 and a great grandpa of 13. The legacy of Bill Ramsey will live on for a long time. Bill is survived by his sons Dick (Kim) Ramsey, Jeff Ramsey, daughters Carrie (Michael) Fallon, Rebecca (Scott) Sturvist. 11 grandchildren, Bixby (Cobi) Ramsey, Cody (Adriana) Ramsey, Jeffery (Melissa) Ramsey, Cammie (Thomas) Wheelus, Savannah (Brendan) Smallwood, Shelby (Tyler) Scott, Saige (Jake) Hayes, Taira Hustedt, Amber Fallon, Bailey (Marco) Gonzales, Charlie Fallon and 17 great grandchildren Austin, Devin, Sebastian, Raffaela, Daniela, Brayden, Kayla, Willie, Teddy, Maggie, Easton, CharleyAnn, Rory, Holden, Hendrix, Ashlyn and Kami. At Bill’s request a private funeral service will be held in the Spring of 2025. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Bitterroot Health Hospice in Hamilton Montana or the donor’s favorite charity.