William R. Rodriguez; Ranch Caretaker

William R. Rodriguez of Ventura, a ranch caretaker and a construction worker who helped build the County Government Center in Ventura, has died. He was 83.

Rodriguez was born on Jan. 15, 1913, in Ventura. He lived for a short time in Santa Barbara, but spent most of his life in Ventura and Ojai. He attended Santa Ana Elementary School and Villanova Preparatory School, in Ojai.

He began working at an early age with his father and brothers in agriculture.

On June 29, 1942, Rodriguez married his childhood sweetheart, Adeline Ruffinalli--they were married for 44 years until she passed away 10 years ago.

In October 1942, he enlisted in the Army and served with the Asiatic Pacific 37th Engineers during World War II. He was discharged in January 1946.

Upon his return, Rodriguez moved to Santa Barbara where he worked as a caretaker and rancher for three landowners. In 1954, he returned to the Ojai Valley, working as a tow truck driver and rancher for the William Fairburn Ranch.

He then moved to Ventura to work in construction. Rodriguez helped build the Hall of Justice and the County Government Center during the 1980s.

Later, he went into semi-retirement, operating his own landscaping business.

Rodriguez was a charter member of the Soule Park Men’s Club in Ojai. He enjoyed golf, and at an early age caddied at the Ojai Valley Inn. He once shot a hole-in-one at the inn.

He is survived by his daughter, Roberta Rayleen Rodriguez of Ventura; sisters Celcia Ruiz, Florence Christopher, Dorothy Baer, Caroline Moore and Delores Lopez of Ojai, Angie Hull of Santa Paula, Catherine Rois of Downey, and Carmen Encinos of Newbury Park.

Rodriguez is also survived by brothers Raymond of San Jose, Robert of Campbell, Paul of Ojai, and Jose of Sonoma. One brother, George, preceded him in death.

A vigil service will be held Sunday at 7 p.m. in the Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura, where friends may also visit from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday.

A burial Mass will be said Monday at 10 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Church in Ventura. Interment will be in Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura.