William (Bill) Herbert Allen February 25, 1932 - March 17, 2014

Was born to the late William Herbert Allen, Sr. and Eleanor Bush Allen in Los Angeles, California on February 25, 1932 and raised in Pasadena. Bill spent his summers growing up in Newport Beach where his father introduced him to sailing which would become his lifelong passion. He graduated from Stanford University in 1954 where he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. While at Stanford, Bill rowed with the Stanford Crew and participated in the Olympic Trials. He was an avid Stanford fan his entire life much to the chagrin of his many USC friends.

Bill finished his studies at Woodbury Business School in 1956. After a brief time as an auditor with Price Waterhouse & Co., he left to pursue a career in real estate development. He was involved in the development and management of projects ranging from residential subdivisions to commercial and medical offices and was one of the original developers at Mammoth Lakes. Bill also served as a director for Title Insurance & Trust Co. for 10 years. He was known for his integrity and honesty in both business and personal relationships.

Bill married the love of his life, Sharon Ann McGinnis in 1964. They lived and raised their family in Pacific Palisades where Bill was a past president of St. Mathews Parish School Board. He was also an active member of the California Yacht Club where he did a lot of offshore and beer can racing with his boats Coronet, Madrugador and Apparition. His sailing accomplishments were many and included the SORC Nassau Cup, (3) Transpacific Yacht Races and multiple races to Mexico. He was a loving and supportive father and husband who spent time on the beach at the Bel-Air Bay Club, on the tennis court at Riviera Tennis Club and on the ski slopes.

In the early 90s Bill and Sharon moved to Newport Beach where they shared a common love for beach life and boating. He was an active member and past Board Member at the Newport Harbor Yacht Club. Bill continued his passion for sailboat racing and eventually decided to “retire” to a power boat, Madcap. He also participated in the Harbor 20 Association, racing his Harbor 20 “Sea Thru” for the remainder of his life. Bill was a fierce competitor, but the camaraderie after the race was as important as a win.

It wasn’t all about sailing; Bill was also musical and fun loving and enjoyed playing the piano, banjo and accordion. He was a humble, often quiet, man with a witty, dry sense of humor, which sometimes wonderfully caught his friends off guard.

Bill is survived by his wife Sharon, son William Herbert Allen III (wife Suzy), son Warren Harrington Allen (wife Laura), daughter Wendy Allen Bush (husband J.B.), sister Pricilla Allen Ahern and sister Joan Allen Funk and grandchildren, John Canady Bush and Eleanor Ann Bush.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Newport Harbor Sailing Foundation nhsailingfoundation.org