In Loving Memory of C. W. “Bill” Englund Jr.

Chester Willard Englund Jr., fondly known as “Bill” to his cherished family and friends, peacefully passed away on July 10, 2023, at 8:45 p.m. He was born on October 5, 1937, in Hollywood, California, to the late Chester Willard Englund and Dorothy Lillian Melissa Rush. Bill’s formative years were spent in Salinas, California, where he grew up surrounded by the richness of agriculture and the company of stock animals.

Hailing from a family business in the trucking industry, Bill’s early life revolved around the housing, feeding, and transport of migrant laborers in association with the Bracero Program, which continued with the guest worker program after 1964. From a young age, he displayed a strong work ethic and was actively involved in 4-H and FFA, with a special focus on equine and swine. A testament to his dedication and resourcefulness, he once raised and cared for 500 hogs, using the proceeds to finance his college education. His journey into the world of horses began with his beloved mare, “Ginger,” sparking a lifelong love affair with these magnificent creatures.

Bill pursued his education at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and earned bachelor’s degrees in animal husbandry and business/ ag management from Cal Poly, Pomona, in 1960. At the time of his graduation, he was already a loving husband and father to two children, Sherry and Leslie. In 1960, he moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where his third child, Sean, was born. Soon after graduation, Bill assumed responsibilities in the family business, managing labor camps in Harquahala, Marana, Blythe, Somerton, and Indio, along with overseeing a tortilla company and food preparation for the camps. He also managed the Cashion, Arizona, branch of the family trucking enterprise, eventually taking ownership of his father ’s holdings. He continued to operate them with immense dedication until his health no longer allowed.

Throughout his adulthood, Bill’s passion for horses remained steadfast, leading him to embark on a successful career as a judge for AQHA shows, beginning in 1971. He later added American Paint Horse Association shows to his repertoire. His expertise in judging took him far and wide, with opportunities to officiate in Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Canada, and Australia. He collaborated with the Swedish Quarter Horse Association to host an exhibition of equestrian events. Notably, Bill was chosen to judge both the AQHA and AQHYA world shows.

In 1976, he became an esteemed AQHA director, eventually serving as a valuable member of the Executive Committee and achieving the distinguished honor of being elected AQHA president in 1992. In 2002, he was deservedly inducted into the prestigious American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame, a testament to his significant contributions to the equestrian community. Bill’s involvement with AQHA fostered lifelong friendships, and his absence will be profoundly felt by all who knew him. He took great pleasure in traveling and was fluent in Spanish, a skill that proved invaluable on many occasions. Bill also cherished spending quality time at Lake Powell, particularly aboard his beloved houseboat, surrounded by his family and close friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his loving parents, Chet and Dorothy, and his dear sister, Patricia. He is survived by his devoted wife, Roxanna, and his beloved children: Sherry (Laird) Hatch, Leslie (Jillian) Englund, and Sean Englund. He also leaves behind his stepchildren: Corrina Callan, Curtis (Floracita) Laverdiere, and Robyn Laverdiere. In addition, he will be lovingly remembered by his cherished grandchildren: Leah (Jonathan) Ketchum, Andrea (Loric) Harding, Jessica (Aidan) Jobe-Sea, Meredith (Alasdair) Johnstone, Blake Englund, Sage Englund, Nicole Englund, and Jenna Englund, as well as his stepgrandchildren: Dion Laverdiere and Ryan Laverdiere. Bill’s great-grandchildren: Benjamin, Nathaniel, Joshua, and Elizabeth Ketchum, and Jasper Johnstone, also hold his memory dear.

The family kindly requests donations in Bill’s honor to the American Quarter Horse Foundation scholarship program.

May the legacy of C. W. “Bill” Englund Jr. forever live on in our hearts and minds, as we cherish the memories of this remarkable man who touched so many lives with his warmth, kindness, and unwavering love for horses.