Bill Billiter

Bill Billiter, an award-winning reporter and editor for The Times Orange County Edition, died of an apparent heart attack Saturday while returning home from running in the annual UC Irvine Zot Trot 5-kilometer race. He was 62. Billiter was born and raised in the flatlands of western Kentucky but came to personify the prototypical California male, his daughter, Mary Billiter Thomas, said.

A memorial service will be held Thursday for Bill Billiter, an award-winning reporter and editor for the Times Orange County Edition, family members said. A celebration of Billiter's life will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Stricklin-Snively Family Mortuary at 5001 Lakewood Blvd. in Lakewood. Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church at 20444 Magnolia Ave. in Huntington Beach.

A memorial service will be held Thursday for Bill Billiter, an award-winning reporter and editor for the Times Orange County Edition, family members said. A celebration of Billiter's life will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Stricklin-Snively Family Mortuary at 5001 Lakewood Blvd. in Lakewood. Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church at 20444 Magnolia Ave. in Huntington Beach.

Bill Billiter, an award-winning reporter and editor for The Times Orange County Edition, died of an apparent heart attack Saturday while returning home from running in the annual UC Irvine Zot Trot 5-kilometer race. He was 62. Billiter was born and raised in the flatlands of western Kentucky but came to personify the prototypical California male, his daughter, Mary Billiter Thomas, said.

Bill Billiter, an award-winning reporter and editor for the Times Orange County edition, died Saturday while returning home from running in the annual UC Irvine Zot Trot five-kilometer race. He was 62. Billiter was born and raised in the flatlands of western Kentucky but came to personify the prototypic California male, said his daughter, Mary Billiter Thomas. Tanned, a competitive runner and something of a sun worshiper, he took to his adoptive home with the fervor of a native.

What: Civilian volunteers Where: Cypress Mission: To help the Police Department with a variety of programs. Information: (714) 229-6621 --BY HOPE HAMASHIGE, DEBRA CANO AND BILL BILLITER

The City Council's annual goal-setting workshop is today. City Manager Daniel E. Keen said that such sessions help focus yearly goals for the City Council in areas such as budgetary policies and help officials to build consensus on issues. This year's workshop will cost the city $1,200, officials said. The consulting firm Len Wood & Associates is conducting the workshop for the third year in a row. --BY LESLIE EARNEST, JOHN POPE AND BILL BILLITER

* Volunteers needed: What: 1996 Race for the Cure Where: Fashion Island, Newport Beach When: Sept. 22 Mission: To serve on the race's executive committee or fill one of more than 1,000 other positions for the 5K race next fall. Proceeds go for breast cancer research and programs. Information: (714) 224-0299 --BY HOPE HAMASHIGE, DEBRA CANO AND BILL BILLITER

Contributing to today's coverage of Orange County's financial troubles were: staff writers Leslie Berkman, Greg Hernandez, Michael A. Hiltzik, Greg Johnson, Sheila Kern, Matt Lait, Mark Landsbaum, Caroline Lemke, Susan Marquez Owen, Julie Marquis, J.R. Moehringer, Mark Platte, Lee Romney, Debora Vrana, Tracy Weber, Dan Weikel, Jodi Wilgoren and Chris Woodyard. Also contributing were correspondents Bill Billiter, Alan Eyerly, Danielle A. Fouquette, Lynn Franey, Shelby Grad, Jon Nalick, Holly J.

Contributing to the coverage of the impact of the war in Orange County were staff writers Bill Billiter, Anita Cal, Henry Chu, Lily Dizon, Tammerlin Drummond, Sonni Efron, Lily Eng, George Frank, Kevin Johnson, Lanie Jones, Matt Lait, Eric Lichtblau, Mark Landsbaum, Cristina Lee, Kristina Lindgren, Tony Marcano, John Needham, Maria Newman, Jeffrey A. Perlman, Mark Pinsky, Carla Rivera, Allison Samuels, Bob Schwartz, David Willman and Nancy Wride....

Bill Billiter, an award-winning reporter and editor for the Times Orange County edition, died Saturday while returning home from running in the annual UC Irvine Zot Trot five-kilometer race. He was 62. Billiter was born and raised in the flatlands of western Kentucky but came to personify the prototypic California male, said his daughter, Mary Billiter Thomas. Tanned, a competitive runner and something of a sun worshiper, he took to his adoptive home with the fervor of a native.

A damaged storm drain on Corporate Avenue between Progress Way and Camden Drive is going to get a $14,200 repair job. The City Council recently approved a contract for the renovation after Public Works Director Mark Christoffels reported on the urgency of the project. Four companies bid on the job. The council awarded the contract to the low bidder, Grbavac Construction Co. of Temple City. --BY JENNIFER LEUER MIMI KO CRUZ, LESLEY WRIGHT AND BILL BILLITER

What: Vegetation removal on least-tern nesting islands Where: Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Huntington Beach When: March 23, 9 a.m. to noon Mission: To help Amigos de Bolsa Chica prepare two sandy islands for the return from South America of the small terns. Information: (714) 897-7003 --BY HOPE HAMASHIGE, DEBRA CANO AND BILL BILLITER