James W. Law; Former Santa Paula Councilman

Former Santa Paula councilman James William “Bill” Law, owner of Bill Law Real Estate Appraisers & Consultants, died at his home in Santa Paula on Friday. He was 69.

Born June 15, 1929, in Marysville, Tenn., Law moved to Santa Paula when he was 19. He married Lola Ann Conley in 1951. Shortly after the wedding, Law was drafted into the Army to serve during the Korean War.

He was past international governor of the Society of Real Estate Appraisers and a past president of the Ventura chapter of Real Estate Appraisers. He was a past master of the Fillmore Santa Paula Masonic Lodge, a charter member of the Ventura Scottish Rite and the Fillmore Santa Paula Shrine Club. He and his wife took an active part in Eastern Star.

Law, who also served on the Ventura County Airport Advisory Commission, was elected to the Santa Paula City Council for two four-year terms beginning in 1968.

A golfer who belonged to the Saticoy Country Club, Law was elected to the club’s board and served as its president in 1976.

He was also a member of the Presbyterian Church of Santa Paula.

Law’s daughter, Ann Law of Chattanooga, Tenn., said her father was always successful. Though he arrived in Santa Paula with only $40, she said, he soon started several businesses. He also worked as a teller for the former Santa Paula Savings and Loan and became an executive there.

“He was people-oriented,” his daughter said. “He always treated everyone equally.”

In addition to his daughter and his wife, Lola, Law is survived by his mother, Julia, of Charlotte, N.C.; sons Doug of Ventura and Charles of Santa Paula; brother Lee of Lafayette, N.C.; sister Mary Elizabeth Counts of Charlotte; and three grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled at 2 p.m. today at the Presbyterian Church of Santa Paula with Pastor Chuck Laird officiating. A reception will be at the Masonic Temple in Santa Paula afterward. Burial will be private.

Donations in Law’s memory can be made to the Santa Clara Hospice, P.O. Box 365, Santa Paula 93060.

Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce Bros. Stetler Mortuary in Santa Paula.