Discovery Bay resident William Kent Little passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012 after a brief illness, which took his life unexpectedly at the age of 71.

Respected and loved by all, Bill will always be remembered for his love of family and dear friends, and zest for life itself. Avid boater, traveler and a vibrant man with as many friends and interests as any person could have, Bill was hard working, dependable and loyal. His strong character and work ethic enabled him to accomplish more in one lifetime than most.

Born in Escanaba, Kent County, Mich. to parents Dr. William W. Little and Ruth DeYoung Little, Bill graduated from Walla Walla High School in Washington State in 1959. In 1964 he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Washington State University, where he majored in police science and administration.

Bill held many responsible positions in business, and for the past 40 years was the consummate entrepreneur. He succeeded in many business enterprises but was best known for property investments and management since the 1990s. He was an early proponent of solar energy and founded the first residential solar energy system enterprise for the do-it-yourself-homeowner in the 1980s. He was a jack-of-all-trades and master of all!

Whether boating with his classic 1954 Chris Craft on Lake Tahoe, crossing the Arctic Circle with his Allegro motorhome in Alaska and to the northern extremes of Newfoundland, or cruising across the Atlantic Ocean, he always traveled with his loving wife Ronda at this side. As a loyal and longtime member of the Allegro Golden Bears Motorhome Club for 13 years, he enjoyed their monthly gatherings all over northern California.

His travels took him all over the world, most recently on a 21-day cruise around Europe and across the Atlantic to the Caribbean with Ronda and dear friends Peggy and Mike Piedade and Sharon and Lee Burrell.

He also enjoyed his friendships made through SIRs (Sons in Retirement) Chapter 161 and most recently, the Discovery Bay Yacht Club.

Bill is survived by his wife of 37½ years, Ronda Riley Little; loving daughter, Kimberly Darretta (Michael); their children, Joshua and Anastasia; dear son, William F. Little (Maria); and grandchildren, Sabrina, Victoria, Trisha and Joshua. Bill is also survived by his brother, Rollie (Carolyn) Little of Phoenix, Ariz.; and sister, Redyl (Robert) Hulser of Walla Walla, Wash.

The celebration of his life will be held Feb. 4 at Tracy Community Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in the name of William Little to Antique and Classic Boat Society. For more information, visit www.acbs-tahoe.org.