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Bill Van Hoorebeke
In Memory of
Bill
Van Hoorebeke
1938 - 2018
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Obituary for Bill Van Hoorebeke

Bill  Van Hoorebeke
Mr. Van as he is most widely known, left his mark on the hearts of his rural California foothill community. Many remember him as a teacher and band leader. He taught at Auberry Elementary from 1978 to 1998 and finished his career at Sandy Bluffs ( an alternative high school). During his tenure he
also coached softball, volleyball, and wrestling. Bill was born in Fresno and attended Fresno high school. His passion for music began as a child when he
was given his first guitar and lessons. He attended College of the Sequoias for two years, playing basketball. When he transferred to Fresno State he became a member of the rodeo team, riding bareback horses and bulls. He also competed in ribbon roping. A back injury caused by the hind foot of a bucking bull ended his rodeo career.
Bill’s love of the cowboy life found him managing feed lots and working cattle early in his adult life. He augmented the family income by teaching music lessons. About this time he married Janet Solomon and soon had two daughters, Janill and Jodi. Now with a family of four to feed, Bill opted to finish up his bachelor’s degree and obtain a teaching credential. His first position was at Kerman Floyd Elementary where he taught and directed an elementary band. The mountains always called to him. In the mid 70’s he and Jan purchased ten acres near Marshall Station in Clovis. It took a few years but they finally built a house. Soon after making the move up, he was hired at Auberry Elementary. In the early 1980’s Bill married Cindy Duwe, a fellow teacher. She and her boys John and Justin also enjoyed mountain life. One of Bill’s passions was taking horse pack trips up to the wilderness in the Sierra Nevada High Country. Teaching allowed him to have every summer to fulfill that passion. He kept horses and mules his whole life, sometimes even raising his own. He loved introducing people to the packing way of life. In the early 1990’s Bill found his soulmate, a woman who shared his love of teaching, ranch life and adventure. He and C’Rae were married in 1994. During this time Bill experienced a rich and full life of love and family now expanded to include daughter Marci and sons Chris and Tim Johnson. Bill continued to spend summers packing in the high sierras after retirement. To ensure that the
tradition he loved lasted, he hosted a pack stock clinic where the intricacies of horse packing knowledge were passed along. This event continues every year but is now hosted by the Austin family. Bill leaves behind a community blessed by his enthusiasm, compassion and hospitality and we are grateful. Please share your pictures and memories on the Bill Van Hoorebeke Facebook page as there will be no service. Remembrances may be made to the Art of Life Cancer Foundation.


To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bill Van Hoorebeke, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

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