SIMI VALLEY : Activist Gress Dies After Heart Attack

Simi Valley activist William F. Gress, who spent more than 12 years assailing City Council members for what he considered to be their shortcomings, has died of a massive heart attack.

Gress, 57, was hammering a nail into some shelving when he collapsed about 9:30 p.m. Sunday, said his son Brian.

“We tried to revive him, but we couldn’t,” he said.

William Gress was taken to Simi Valley Hospital, where he was pronounced dead about 10:30 p.m., a hospital spokeswoman said.

During the commotion surrounding her husband’s death, Gress’ wife, Lois, suffered a mild heart attack. She was listed in stable condition at the hospital Monday.

Brian Gress said his father, a heavy smoker, decided earlier this year not to have quadruple bypass surgery because doctors told him that he only had a 15% chance of surviving the operation.

William Gress, a regular at City Council meetings since 1978, was best known for his sharp wit and equally sharp criticism of city officials, none of whom were immune to Gress’s wrath.

“I don’t play favorites,” he once told a reporter.

Councilman Bill Davis said that like others on the panel he is going to miss Gress.

“Bill and I didn’t always agree, but I liked him,” he said. “He loved this city. I think the whole council will miss him.”

The council adjourned its meeting Monday in Gress’s honor.