Borrego Sun - Since 1949

William Norman Hubbert, known affectionately to most as Bill and to some as "Lump," passed away peacefully at home in Borrego Springs, Calif. on March 30, 2024 at the age of 73. His final weeks were spent surrounded by loving family and friends.

Bill was born on August 23, 1950 in Long Beach, Calif. to Norman Grant Peter Hubbert and Patsy "Patti" Gene (Parsons) Hubbert (later Williams). He grew up in Los Angeles County, spending much of his childhood in Paramount, Calif. in the care of his paternal grandparents, Grant Roosevelt and Ruby Dardenne Hubbert. Bill and his first wife, Nancy, had two beloved children together – Norman and Christina. Though their marriage wasn't permanent, Nancy and Bill remained family.

Upon his marriage in 1986 to Kerry Bouchey, Bill welcomed the role of stepfather to Jason and Shana. Bill and Kerry lived for two decades in the San Diego suburbs of Poway and Escondido before relocating to the desert town of Borrego Springs, where their parents previously met as next-door neighbors. They spent many happy years in the desert together, hiking the canyons, taking drives in the Jeep, and enjoying live music and meals with their snowbird friends at The Springs.

Bill was skilled enough to fix just about anything, but he especially loved working on cars and motorcycles, happily passing endless hours in the garage – his own, his dad's or a friend's. He worked as a master mechanic for more than 20 years before a diagnosis with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency compelled his early retirement. He never tired of telling stories about his days in the shop and the friends he made there.

On May 19, 2009, Bill received a bi-lateral lung transplant at UCSD, which would award him nearly 15 extra years of life thanks to the selflessness of his donor, Gina Marie Mack, and her family.

Through the bloodline of his paternal grandmother, Ruby, Bill was a proud member of the Quapaw Nation. He was a warrior, first battling the rare genetic lung disease, diagnosed in his early 40's, that put him on oxygen full time, eventually recovering from transplant and getting a second lease on life with two new lungs, and later facing Alzheimer's Disease with his signature strength and dignity. He will be remembered for his huge heart, gentle nature – he especially loved kids and they loved him – and his big laugh.

Bill's greatest joy was his large, boisterous and blended family. He is survived and missed by his loving wife of 37 years, Kerry; sister, Robin Ross (William); children, Norman Hubbert (Shannon), Christina Zide (Joseph), Jason Wilson (Betsy) and Shana Wilson; six grandchildren, Tori Costa (Dennis), Corey Torsak (Kurt), Alika Hubbert, Aubrey Zide, Jacob Zide and Delylah Wilson; four great-grandchildren, Jaxon, Keoni, Mae and Sophia; stepmother, Bernadine "Bernie" Hubbert; mother-in-law, Lorna Bouchey; brother-in-law, Mark Bouchey (Amy); sister-in-law, Kristy Bouchey; nephews, Neil Ross (Shelley) and Sam Byrd; nieces, Toni Ross Accardo (Phillip), Nicole Carter (Will) and Melissa Stepanek (Patrick); and many loving cousins, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and friends.

Bill is preceded in death by both parents, Norman and Patsy; stepfather, Robert Williams; brother, Johnny Hubbert; sister, Rhonda Williams; former wife, Nancy Hubbert; and father-in-law, LeRoy Bouchey.

A private celebration of life will be planned. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider becoming an organ donor to give other families the gift of life that blessed Bill and his loved ones. The family would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to Drs. Yung, Afshar, Bevins, and the entire medical team at UCSD Transplant that devoted themselves to his care for close to two decades.