OBITUARY

Bill Edwards, a longtime resident of Newport Beach, passed away Dec. 21

of complications suffered during a long-term illness. He was 81.

Born in New Jersey on Sept. 14, 1918, Mr. Edwards was an artist from the

moment he could hold a pencil. His academic schooling suffered somewhat,

as he would rather sketch than read.

He had an amazing affinity for animals, horses in particular. Early on he

began drawing horses in every spare moment.

In his late teens, Mr. Edwards spent time wrangling, roping and sketching

on what is today the Buffalo Bill Cody Ranch in Wyoming. He became an

accomplished horseman and pursued the rodeo circuit of the West, riding

broncos and Brahma bulls until numerous broken bones forced him into an

early “retirement.”

He decided drawing horses and scenes from the Wild West was a better

direction for his talents.

Mr. Edwards attended the prestigious Art Students League in New York

City, determined to develop his talents into a career.

To finance his studies, he became a model for a famous modeling agency in

New York City. Not long after he started modeling, he caught the eye of a

Hollywood talent agent and landed a studio contract with Warner Brothers

in the early 1940s.

After his stint with Warner Brothers, Mr. Edwards moved to Paramount and

acted in several films.

He met his wife-to-be, Hazel Allen, at a Hollywood party that neither of

them wanted to attend. The couple wed six months later.

Mr. Edwards went back to being an artist full-time in the 1950s.

He was a member of a very elite group of artists commissioned by the

United States Air Force Art Program. His work for the Air Force is part

of a permanent collection that has traveled throughout the country,

including the Smithsonian. Several paintings reside permanently in the

Pentagon.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Hazel and daughter, Linda, both

residents of Newport Beach.

A private “Celebration of Life” will be held Jan. 8.