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Ola Mae Bills. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Ola Mae Bills passed peacefully surrounded by her family on Sept. 23, 2022.

She was born on Feb. 26, 1931, in Plant City, Florida. She was born to parents Walter Hiott and Audrey Binkley.

Ola migrated to Northern California, where she attended Richmond High School and met and married her husband of 60 years, Davy Lee Bills Sr.

Together they had five children, Sandy Reza (Danny) of Arizona, Kathleen Solway (Tom) of Vallejo, Denny Horne (Donald) of Lakeport, Davy Bills Jr (Debbie) of Nice and Cindy Coppa (James) of Lakeport.

Ola was blessed with 13 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren.

While living in the Bay Area, Ola was employed at Cutter Lab for 35 years. While working a full-time job and raising her family, she earned a business degree from San Francisco University.

After spending many summers in Lake County, Ola and Davy made it their permanent home in 1978.

Ola’s passion for travel and business sense made her an avid partner at Quistgard Travel in Lucerne until she retired.

Once retired, Ola was able to travel all over the world as far as China, Egypt, Africa and Israel, just to name a few.

Ola inspired her family by her undying devotion for her loved ones and her enormous generosity.

Ola was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Davy Sr.; daughter, Kathleen; son, Davy Jr.; granddaughter, Evonne; and brother, Arlin.

Ola is survived by her sister, Sharon Turner of Anchorage, Alaska.

A celebration of life for Ola will be held at a later date.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Bobette (Bobbi) Douglas, nee Miller, passed on Sept. 28, 2022.

She is survived by her husband, James Douglas; sister, April Landers; her sons, Robert Shackelford and Lee Shackelford; her daughter, Katy Casselli; and three grandchildren.

She loved spinning and knitting wool, and Greek dancing.

She was a paralegal and CNA.
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Dena Wood. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — In the early hours of Aug. 21, 2022, Dena Wood’s long, strange trip here ended.

Born Feb. 3, 1959, in Port Hueneme, California, Dena grew up and lived most of her days in Kelseyville and Finley as a mother to five and eldest sister of four.

The greater Lake County community would know her by her bright, bold tie-dye attire adorned with angels and crosses, crystals and beaded bracelets.

From concerts in Library Park, to any community festival, Dena would be there to dance and drink in the warmth of long-time friends and family.

As much as she loved Lake County, she delighted in being at the beach in Fort Bragg or anywhere on the Northern California coastline. If she wasn’t finding joy and rocks on the beach, she could be found cheering on the San Francisco Giants or dancing at a Grateful Dead concert, willing the music to never stop.

She loved to make food for family and friends but savored sharing baking tips and secrets with her grandchildren.

However much pleasure she found in all these activities, Dena was a people person who sought and gave aid and comfort to all in her orbit, be it a brief visit to offering what of hers she could share.

Generations deep, Dena drew strength from how intimately connected she was to family and friends in Lake County. Having begun and graduated from Kelseyville schools, it was a place of pride for her to know and connect her own family and other Lake County families together in lore and legend.

She devoted herself to the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church in 1979 and later became an Elder and Deacon.

So much of her life was devoted to her family and friends who all must know how much she cared for them, even when she no longer physically could.

She was unbelievably proud of all that her children achieved and believed her grandchildren will become heirs to the smiles she showered on all.

When Dena walked into the splintered sunlight, she is survived by her mother, Sandra Wood; her children, Bill and Julie Morris, Jack and Rosario Morris, Ricky and Savannah Wood and Emily and Branden Joiner; her grandchildren, Tanner, Payton, Kyra, Blake, Adisyn, Lucas, Maddie, Maya, Remmie, Owen and Hudson; and her siblings, Gena, Laurie and Charlie, and their respective families.

In death, she is preceded by her grandparents, Bill and Alice Sperling, Charlie and Margaret Wood, and her son, Cliff.

A celebration of life is scheduled at Buckingham Club House on Sunday, Oct. 9, at noon. If you have images to share for a slideshow, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Additionally, in lieu of flowers, please feel free to send a donation to Hospice Services of Lake County or Kelseyville Presbyterian Church in Dena’s honor.
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Ben G. Ray Jr. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Ben G. Ray Jr., 78, a life-long resident of Lake County, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, at 5:15 p.m. with his family by his side at his home in Lakeport.

Ben was a member of the Big Valley Rancheria and grew up on the rancheria as the oldest of eight children. He built their first home that still stands today.

Ben graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1962 where he played baseball, basketball and football.

He attended Napa Junior College and transferred to Santa Rosa Junior College where he received his AA degree in criminal justice.

Ben joined the Lakeport Police Department where he was one of the first Native American police officers. After a few years he became a deputy with the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Before long, he went to work for Pacific Gas and Electric. He would work for PG&E for the rest of his work career over 35 years until his retirement.

Ben and his wife Bea purchased and renovated a home beginning in 1968 that he lived in until his death.

Along the way Ben used his love for baseball to coach several teams for the boys in Little League and Senior League. He also joined the volunteer fire department in Lakeport. He trained and received many certificates in firefighting.

Ben was predeceased by his dad, Ben; mother, Katherine; sister, Loretta; brother, Rick and brother, Raymond.

He is survived by his wife, Beatrice; sons, Ben and Reggie; daughter, Lisa; two grandsons, Chris and Nick; siblings, Peggy, Conrad (Mona dec.), Greg and wife Kathy and Lola; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, Oct. 14, at 1 p.m. at Lakeport Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1111 Park Way, Lakeport, where Ben was a member. Light refreshments will be provided.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a gift in memory of Ben to their favorite charity or Hospice of Lake County.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.
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Steve Higgins. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Steve was born March 3, 1959, in Albany, California.

He was a lifelong resident of Lake County; today we share with great sadness that he left this world on Sept. 27, 2022.

Steve leaves behind his parents, Norris (Delphine) Higgins; siblings, Cindy (Kevin) Smith, Bonnie (Walter) Hoeck, Harold Higgins, Bruce (Marilyn) Higgins and Richard (Christine) Kettwig; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.

He is predeceased by his mother, Greta L. Higgins.

Celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary in Lakeport.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.
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Ignatius “Eggy" Elliott. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — We are very sad to announce the passing of Ignatius “Eggy" Elliott on Sept. 28, 2022.

Eggy was born to Bennett and Beulah Elliott on Oct. 13, 1948.

He was the father of three sons, Delaney Bennett Elliott, Tacoma Dale Elliott and Edward Leslie Elliott. He is also survived by niece, Janelle Severson and her two sons; and nephew, Dion Ettsity.

Eggy graduated from Lakeport's Clearlake Union High School in 1966 and worked at various jobs in Lake and Tehama counties for Pacific Gas and Electric.

He also was a very talented baseball player. He was one of the star players for the legendary championship Oakland Warriors fastpitch softball team.

Eggy was so proud of his Native American heritage, he being Pomo and Cahto. He was Pomo from his grandmother, Bessie Augustine, and Cahto from his grandfather, Gene Ray. His father, Bennett, was also Pomo.

Eggy was the sole person responsible for getting the Sugarbowl Rancheria re-instated to federal trust status after the U.S. Government terminated the tribe in the late 1950s. He worked with the California Indian Legal Service for years before the case was finally won in 1992. The tribe is currently the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians here in Lakeport and enjoys all federal benefits thanks to Ignatius Eggy Elliott.

Eggy also collaborated on two books about the Pomo culture here in Lake County and was currently advocating for the Museums of Lake County's Pomo Bronze Statue Project.

Eggy will always be remembered for his amazing sense of humor.

Visitation will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary in Lakeport on Friday, Oct. 7, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. with eulogy at 11 a.m.

Interment to follow at Hartley Cemetery at 1 p.m.

A reception will be held at Scotts Valley Tribal Office at 1005 Parallel Drive in Lakeport.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

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