* William Harry Kam; Lifelong Ventura Resident

William “Bill” Harry Kam, a retired store clerk and volunteer, died at his Ventura home after a brief battle with cancer. He was 78.

He was born May 16, 1922, in Ventura and graduated from Ventura High School.

From 1944 to 1946 Kame served in the Army Medical Corps and was awarded the Good Conduct and Victory medals for his service.

For more than 30 years, he worked for P & H Market and Santa Cruz Market in Ventura before retiring in 1978.

Kam volunteered his time to the YWCA, Meals on Wheels, Toys for Tots, Food Share, the Boys & Girls Club of Ventura, Commission for Human Concern, and Mira Monte School, where his granddaughters attended.

In 1974, he was chosen Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the children at the YWCA day care center in Ventura. Kam also was selected as the Ojai Valley Retired Senior Volunteer Program’s Volunteer of the Year for helping teach children to read. He was a member of the American Legion for 50 years.

An avid sports fan, Kam considered the Lakers his all-time favorite team.

He is survived by his daughter Carol James of Oak View; brothers Gerald and George of Ventura, Harry of Tehachapi, Jimmy and Allan of Las Vegas, and Theodore Rowe of Oak View; sister Helen Elliott of Ojai and three grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled at noon Saturday at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Kam’s name may be sent to a favorite children’s charity.

Arrangements are under the direction of Joseph Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura.