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From:
Chuck Bell
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Monday, August 24, 2015
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Santa Barbara County has lost a kind and gentle soul - one for whom I have the fondest memories of that time in 1992 and 1993 when we fought to sustain his election to the Board of Supervisors. Throughout that battle, Willy was purposeful and steady yet bemused at the legal wrangling. I'm sure he thought that that certainly wasn't the way cowboys settled disputes. After that battle, I saw Willy again on two occasions over the years - also political/legal wrangling that he wasn't at the center of. He never lost that soft spoken, kindly, direct manner. A true gentleman. My condolences to his family and his many friends.
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From:
Al Cartwright
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Sunday, August 2, 2015
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Well, Willy has come to the end of the trail. He has rode off into the sunset (as the old endearing cowboy phrase used to go), No doubt, he was sitting tall in the saddle, as he passed into the Son Light.
Our trails didn’t cross until several years ago, when I was introduced to Willie by our dearest friend Jerrie. My first impression of Willie is that he was a gentleman…. and a “gentle” man. My second impression was that he could be tough as nails if he had to be. Maybe it was that tall lanky frame and that enormous belt buckle.
Maybe I felt a kindred spirit with Willie, him living on a big ranch with hundreds of acres; me having lived on a ranchette of five acres for a time. He had hundreds of cattle and many horses; I had hundreds of rabbits and many chickens. No, It wasn’t that. I guess it was the way he was laid back and not pretentious at all. Now my friend Webster explains it this way…. not “making claims to some distinction, importance, dignity, or excellence.” Yep, that was him; very humble, in a way that grabbed your respect. I truly respected Willy, and this was even before I found out all of his achievements that were so eloquently expressed by others that have paid tribute to this “Great American”.
Willie truly exemplified the greatness of the American spirit that has made this nation so great. He served his family, his neighbors and this country so very well. He set the example to all of us about strength of character, loyalty and honesty.
Aside from these attributes, he had a good sense of humor. One time we tried to fool an old high school coed into thinking that he was I and I was him sixty years after high school. No matter how hard we tried, we were not successful. We could not convince this alumnus (or is it alumna?) that the tall, lanky guy with plenty of hair on his head, was I. Nor could we convince her that this bald, 5’8” (and shrinking), squatty body was he (is that confusing?). We had fun trying to pull that off. I guess that’s where we are a little alike. We both had a little bit of mischief in our hearts and mind.
I hope you forgive my attempts at humor in this tribute. But it is my way of easing the sadness in my heart of the loss of a good friend. I know he will be sorely missed by us all. Let me say, that when I reach the end of the trail and ride off into the sunset (maybe not so tall in the saddle) and cross over into the Son Light, we will be eternal buddies. See ya later Willy!
A Friend For Ever
Al Cartwright
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From:
Pamela Brown
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Friday, July 31, 2015
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Willy was one of the first locals who welcomed me to the Valley 30 years ago. With his quiet, warm ways, and that delightful cheerful voice, I found him steadfastly kind and charming. It was a joy to encounter him wherever we ran into each other (mostly, the P.O. Box) and he will be missed. Love to his family from ours.
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From:
Jim Youngson
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Thursday, July 30, 2015
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Willy was much more than my boss (when he was county supervisor) more than 22 years ago, we remained friends and chatted up politics, land use and the like for hours. It was hard to have a phone conversation with Willy that lasted less than 45 minutes.
It's already been said here, but bears repeating: Willy Chamberlin was the real deal, a true westerner – in character and style – straight out of a Will James novel. He was one of those guys who looked better in a large, white felt hat, with one of his trophy belt buckles and fine boots. (Tennis shoes never fit the man.) His temperament was all cowboy: an ever-present natural smile, even keel and upbeat attitude and a grounded disposition. The years I knew him he lived honestly and modestly, without much fanfare. I remember he gave me a present once – a Stanley Classic Vacuum Thermos, army metal green. Practical and old school. I still have it.
He was a great 3rd District Supervisor, and much would be better around here if he'd been able to serve longer. Regardless, Willy must have attended literally a thousand public meetings and hearings during his life, large and small. But he never sought out nor needed the spotlight, or the public acknowledgement. He was the epitome of a public servant.
I rarely heard him complain, even during the most personal crisis, and he had his share of those. He could be sad, but he just kept smiling and telling jokes, kept up his public service and remained true to who he was. Some change as they age – for the better or worse. Willy was always great and didn’t atrophy as the years passed; he remained full of life and optimism, style and charm. In hindsight I realize I was always happy when around the man; he made me feel good about myself and the world around me.
I’ve known two honest-to-goodness cowboys named Willy (Norlin and Chamberlin) both born and lived most their lives in this county. In the end they both slipped through this world suddenly and simply, without great fanfare. And I don’t think either Willy would have wanted it any other way.
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From:
Orrin Sage
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Thursday, July 30, 2015
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From: Orrin and Cindy Sage
In the mid-1970's, Willy came down to UCSB to lecture in Orrin's new California Agriculture class, to bring some real-life ranching experience into academia. He was very popular with the students, being plain-spoken and forthright about the challenges of family ranching in California. It was the time of the Santa Ynez Valley Ag Rezone and Willy had the vision and leadership to help keep the Valley in ag long enough to protect it from wall-to-wall ranchette development. When our girls were very young, the Chamberlin family loaned us their pony, Shadow. We returned him a few years later, but not before he taught our horses more than a few mischievous tricks. Willy, we will miss you, but see you down the trail.
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From:
Amanda Browning
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Wednesday, July 29, 2015
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The most respectable, kindest soul passed away last night before 8pm. Because of this man, my journey that I took to become who I am now happened, and I am the person who I am today because he stood up for making sure I could have the possibility of having the best life that I could ever have. Many many people were also included in this journey but because of this man, because of what he did for me and because of what he said about me and supported me through a hard time I am here today, alive, with dreams and possibilities. On March 1, 2012 this man made it possible for me to have a voice. And without that, I don't know where I would be. I respect this man so so much, and he has always had the biggest heart, even for people who may not have deserved it. I love you Willy, take care of my dad and Beth and Oma Allie and Debbie and Helen and any other family who passed away for all of us please, and be our guardian angel from the other side.
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