Bill Young, 16 year resident of Flagstaff, died on November 30th. He was born June 17, 1934, in Los Angeles, CA to Carl and Alyce Young. He grew up on a ranch in Porterville, CA, where he attended a one room schoolhouse. He was an alumnus of several colleges, including University of California, Berkley; he earned a bachelor's and master's degrees in Electrical Engineering and Counseling Psychology. His rewarding careers included Electrical Engineer for the California State Highway Department, Marriage and Family Counselor, and in Flagstaff, owner of Bill Young Designs and Hobby.

He was a ham radio operator and a founder of the North American Model Boat Association. As a lifelong aviation devotee, designed and built model aircraft, researched aviation history, authored manuals, published articles in magazines including American Aviation Historical Society Journal, was electric-models columnist for Scale R/C Modeler, and had a special knowledge of autogiros, flying wings, electric duct fans, the N9M, and Yak-15. He constructed oral histories with aviation figures, including Chuck Yeager, functioned as a consultant to a historical reconstruction project, and donated several of his models to aviation museums. He served as President and Vice-President of the Flagstaff Flyers and was named Channel 2 News'" Someone 2 Know" for his work with teachers and students in the Science Olympiad. The Academy of Model Aeronautics selected his as a 2011 recipient of the Model aviation Hall of Fame award. He was a designer of electronic gadgets and especially enjoyed his work with a Sedona magician. He mentored therapists, modelers, friends, and family and loved science, math, history, hiking, backpacking, classical music, and education, making him a great homeschooling dad. He valued his friends and took pride in his family, especially his children. He was wise, knowledgeable, quirky, down to earth, "a quiet man of great value", and an inspiration to many. He was well loved and will be irreplaceable.

He is survived by his wife Karen Raskin-Young, his children Beth Young Crossen and Brad (Crystal)of Washington State, Jeremy of Bloomington, IN and Meredith of Flagstaff, his brothers Bob (Ann) of Sacramento, CA, Bruce (Cheryl of Emmett, ID, and Burt (Margaret) of Gold River, CA grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, oldest daughter Rowena Svillich, and ex-wife Barbara Elliot.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to AMA/Scholarship fund, 5161 E. Memorial Drive, Muncie, In 47302. If you knew him and have a story to tell, a memory to share, or a thought to offer, you are invited to a small Celebration of his Life at 2:00 pm on Saturday, December 10th at Lozano's Flagstaff Mortuary.