(Bill) Robert Locklear peacefully passed away on June 1, 2024 at 94 years old. Bill was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on July 22, 1929, to Harper and Esther Locklear. Bill graduated from Howe High School in 1947, then moved on to Ball State Teacher’s College to further his education.
Always in the back of his mind was his dad’s service in WWI and his two older brothers’ service in WWII. He felt compelled to continue the family legacy when he joined the US Marine Corps in 1949. Bill was on the ground in Korea in 1951-1952 as a Rifle Platoon Commander for the 5th Marines. He was an active-duty Reservist for the next 25 years, assuming the command of a battalion in the 4th Marines and being promoted to the rank of Colonel. Semper Fi!
After returning from Korea, Bill refused to settle down in Indiana due to the cold winters and made his way west to Los Angeles. While working for Prudential Insurance, he met his future bride, Diane Tinsley, and they married in 1956. Bill completed his bachelor’s degree in History at UCLA in 1957 and was well on his way to earning a PhD, but a larger family and work got in the way.
He began a full-time career at UCLA as the assistant Dean of Foreign Students, then, over the ensuing 30 years, he became a senior administrator in several UCLA student services departments including Dean of Residential Life during the student protest era (1966-78), Dean of Campus Programs and Activities (78-80), Director of Enrollment and Records (81-82), Director Office of the Registrar (82-92) and acting Director of Placement and Career Planning Center (92-95).
Throughout the years, Bill’s constant openness to hear student, staff and faculty concerns kept sensitive policy issues from becoming serious public relations problems and allowed for effective implementation. For his breadth of service to the students and thus UCLA, was conferred the title of Director of Student Services, Emeritus.
In retirement, Bill enjoyed traveling with his wife to far-away places such as England, France, Israel and Russia, Panama, Vietnam and Thailand. When he was at home, Bill was an usher for United Methodist Church of Westlake Village and a Director at the Westlake Village Yacht Club. In his free time, he preferred to hit baseballs at the local batting cage, play golf at the local municipal course, and sit outside with friends and family while smoking cigars, drinking Trader Joe’s scotch and reminiscing about the good ol’ days.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Harold (Hap), Ed and Frank, and his sister Winona. Bill leaves behind Diane, his wife of 68 years, his children Laurie (Terry), Mark (Lisa), Colleen (Frank) and Heather, plus six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and countless friends and admirers who will remember him for his twinkling eyes, broad smile and pleasant disposition. We all cherish his memory.
A Celebration of Life will be planned in the future. In honor of Bill’s legacy, donations may be made to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (mcsf.org).