Billie Gene Bartel

Billie Gene Bartel, son of William Bartel and Anna Bartel, was born April 20th,1934 in the Mennonite farming community of Hillsboro, Kansas. He attended a one room school house, and grew up among close family and friends. On April 2nd, 1950 upon his confession of faith, he was baptized by Reverend Henry T. Unruh and received into the membership of Hillsboro First Mennonite Church.

After two years at Bethel College in Newton, Kansas, he met a beautiful redhead, Lyla Whitham, while they both worked at a furniture and home-design store in town. They were married on April 3rd, 1955 in Scott City, Kansas and soon after, moved to Evanston, Illinois. Bill, a Mennonite pacifist, served two years in a hospital there during the Korean War. Bill and Lyla's first child, Tate, was born in Evanston. The new family then ventured on to Los Angeles where Bill attended Woodbury College of Design, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1960. Majoring in Professional Arts, Bill fulfilled his life long passion to be an Interior Designer. He opened a design business and specialty gift shop, BILL BARTEL INTERIOR DESIGN in the Larchmont Village area of Los Angeles.

After moving to Pasadena in the mid 60's, their son Todd and daughter Courtney were born. In the early 70's the family moved to their current home in Glendale. By the late 70's, Bill and Lyla opened a children's clothing shop, BARTEL CHAPTER IV, two doors down from his design and gift shop. Eventually Bill focused on the children's shop as Lyla opened their third business, CONFETTI, selling contemporary women's apparel. Bill served as President of the Larchmont Boulevard Business Association several times, helping organize the annual street fairs and the Christmas Open House.

Bill was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood for more than 40 years and especially enjoyed the Cathedral Choir accompanied by the church's wonderful pipe organ. He generously offered his design talents to the church throughout the years, updating the sanctuary and prayer rooms with new colors and upholstery, designing church bulletins and overseeing holiday decorations.

Bill put his heart into making the family home a reflection of who he was. He loved subtle colors and simple elegant designs. He devoted endless hours to painting, refinishing and landscaping. Though it seemed his work on the house was never done, he derived great joy and deep satisfaction from his efforts. Along with home enhancements he and Lyla enjoyed taking day-trips antiquing or simply driving through lovely neighborhoods looking at old houses. Bill also loved to cook. His Gazpacho and Sangria in the summer time were favorites, as were his unique side dishes at holiday meals.

The family has great memories of Sunday outings to the Arboretum, the Huntington Museum and fun new restaurants. Though often busy at the shops, Bill loved to travel and was thrilled to visit London, Paris and Italy with Lyla and their dear friends, Betty and Norman Lofland.

By his mid-seventies Bill's health began to decline as his mind and body succumbed to dementia. He was still able to say "I love you" even in his final days. We all loved him dearly. Bill was welcomed into God's loving arms on October 5th, 2017, at the age of 83. He is survived by his wife, Lyla, his sons, Tate, Todd (and wife Angie), his daughter, Courtney, his grandchildren Zachary, Clara, Grant, Ely, Jacob, Ben and Anna, his sister Sylvia Abrahams and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A private memorial will be held at the family's Glendale home.