William J. Hurney "Bill" Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

William J. “Bill” Hurney passed away peacefully the evening of September 7, 2021 at his home in Santa Barbara, California. Bill was born May 10, 1960, in Dorchester, Massachusetts to William and Alice Hurney. He spent his youth in the company of his two younger brothers, Jack and Thomas Hurney. Bill had many jobs while growing up, delivering newspapers, being co contractors of “Howes and Hurney, No Job Too Big or Too Small”, gas station attendant, to being the doughnut maker at the local Dunkin Doughnuts. His adventurous spirit got him into mischief from time to time but his straight A grades kept him out of too much trouble. Bill obtained Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He worked his way through college working at a local ski lodge making snow. A great job for the expert skier that he was. After graduation Bill accepted a position with Raytheon Technologies in Goleta, California. He worked at Raytheon for more than 20 years in positions of increasing responsibility, completing his career as a Principal Systems Engineer. He was active in the employee association at Raytheon organizing the epic annual ski trip to Mammoth for many years. Bill married Janice “Cookie” Newlon on August 9, 1997, in Santa Barbara, CA. Together they enjoyed an active life of tennis, skiing, and travel throughout the world which included a safari in Africa and walking on the Great Wall of China. Cookie’s family loved him dearly and embraced his conviviality. Bill loved his Irish heritage, and his life exemplified the quote by Irish poet William Butler Yeats: There are no strangers, only friends you have not met yet. He made friends everywhere he went and never had a bad word about anyone. Bill enjoyed a large circle of close friends and was known for his quick wit, love of life, loyalty to the New England Patriots and never letting go of the fun ring. Bill is survived by his wife Cookie, brothers Jack and Thomas Hurney, nieces Alison Hurney and husband James Lightbody, niece Emily and husband Shane Parker. A Mass in honor of Bill’s life will be held at 11am on Tuesday, September 14th at the Old Mission in Santa Barbara. Memorial contributions may be made to AFTD at www.theaftd.org.

William J. Hurney "Bill"

May 10, 1960 - September 7, 2021