This is for one of the best people I've ever known and I will miss him with all my heart.
William T. "Bunny" Ribbs
October 9, 1925 - August 23, 2015
Resident of San Jose
William Theodore "Bunny" Ribbs, Sr., passed away peacefully in his 90th year on Sunday, August 23, 2015, at the VA Medical Center, Palo Alto, California. He was preceded in death by his dear daughter, Alma Renee, his parents Henry and Nora, and his brother Felix, sisters Juanita Hartog, Alma Ribbs, and Evelyn Ribbs Hutchinson.
Bunny was born in San Jose on October 9th 1925. He was the beloved fifth child of Nora and Henry Ribbs. Bunny is survived by his wife of 20 years, Heather McFarland Ribbs, and his sons Phillip, William "Willy T." Jr, Stephen (Sylvie), daughter Victoria Ribbs and step-daughter Shauna Greene (Andy). Also survived by his grandchildren who were his pride and joy: Sasha, William "Theo" III, Maxine, Jamal (Emma), and Xander Greene, as well as his brother-in-law, Dr. James Hutchinson and many other family members, especially his beloved nieces and nephews, Karen, Henry and Jimmy, Brenda and David, Paula, Ronnie and Tommy (deceased) (Lois), former sons in law, Darby Davis and Richard Wychoff, and his former wife, Geraldine Ribbs.
He was educated at Pala and Roosevelt schools and San Jose Tech. In 1943, he joined the Army Air Corp and remained in service until 1946. After the war, he worked in the family plumbing business ( established in 1927 ) with his father, Henry and brother, Felix. In 1963, he founded Bunny Ribbs Plumbing, which he operated as a flourishing business until he retired in 1987. Bunny's youngest son Stephen Ribbs, now owns and operates the family business as Ribbs Plumbing in San Jose.
Bunny served on The Santa Clara Grand Jury and was a member of the Santa Clara County Board of Directors for a decade.
He had a lifelong passion for automobiles and auto racing and was legendary in the racing community. Bunny raced sports cars in the 50's and 60's in the SF SCCA region. Subsequently he traveled great distances in his many motorhomes to view F1 events in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
For four decades, Bunny was a tireless ambassador for Lions Club International, serving as a District Governor for 4C-6 (1987-88) and proudly enlisting the greatest number of new members during his tenure.
He loved Mexico and its people and spent many happy years in his home in Puerto Vallarta where he became renowned in his pursuit of helping others.