Patricia Stocker

The world has lost a special angel. Patricia Ann Stocker passed away peacefully on November 26, 2025, just missing her 97th birthday by a few weeks. Born in Fillmore, CA, December 14, 1928, to Floyd "Curly" and Doris Spangler, Pat grew up in the family home on Bard Street where her parents owned Spangler's Plumbing. Pat attended Fillmore schools graduating from the Fillmore High School Class of 1946. Following graduation she attended Ventura College where she took classes in bookkeeping and used her newly acquired skills to help with the family business as the bookkeeper. Upon his return from WWII her older brother, Delbert "Spike", joined the business as his father's assistant, so it was truly a family run business.
Pat married her high school sweetheart, Bill Stocker, January 31, 1947. After his return from serving in Okinawa, Japan in WWII, he presented her with a diamond engagement ring and a silk parachute that her mother, an accomplished seamstress, used to make her wedding gown. As newlyweds, Bill began working at his parents' popular business Stocker's Department store on Central Avenue. In 1950, Bill's dad passed away suddenly and Pat came alongside to help at the store and Bill became the manager along with his mother, Helen. Pat and Bill built and decorated many award winning floats for the May Festival every year. They welcomed a daughter, Cynthia, in March 1948, and 5 years later, Melinda was born in January 1953. Times were changing as a new mall in Ventura was built. The store was not able to support two families so the store was sold and Bill became the manager of the Tip Top Drive-In. Again, Pat joined Bill, working at the drive-in while continuing her job as bookkeeper at Spangler's Plumbing. 
Through the years Pat acquired many talents and loved performing, starting when she was just a young girl. She was incredibly involved with dance classes where she participated in local recitals. Her mother, Doris made all her costumes. She was well known for doing the hula and would perform during programs for furloughing servicemen during WWII. Pat's love of painting began when she painted piggy banks for famous local artist, Lawrence Hinkley, as a fundraiser to support the local war effort. Later, she took oil and acrylic classes from a woman who studied under Norman Rockwell. She also played saxophone in a swing band, with husband Bill playing the trumpet. They performed together at local events with other musicians. She loved to sing, joining a quartet in her later years. She also sang at churches and other events in the area as well as on the worship team at her church.
Bill and Pat were an active couple. They continued their love of parades every year in the May Festival by driving their old yellow Model A car "Buttercup" with a dignitary or beauty queen in the rumble seat. They bowled in bowling leagues, went on water skiing vacations with family and friends, and in their retirement, were members of the Model A Club with Pat always showing support for Bill and his love of old cars. Finally, they were frequent attendees at Dixieland Jazz Festivals in Pismo Beach, Sacramento and Three Rivers, traveling to camp at these venues in their motorhome. Pat continued performing, being one of the few who would get up and dance at the venues with her colorful sequined vest and cap, dancing with her umbrella.
While at their home near Kenny Grove Park they were frequently seen walking 3-5 miles a day. Pat loved to golf and was a charter member of the former Elkins Ranch Golf Course starting in 1961. She had a deep love of the beach which she shared with her mother. Together they rented beach houses on the Rincon in Ventura and spent 1-2 weeks there every summer with kids, cousins and grandkids all having a happy time together playing cards and taking long walks on the beach. Pat and Bill were proud alumni of Fillmore High attending the Alumni Banquet every year. Pat rode in her final parade, proudly smiling and waving her Pom-pom in the 2023 homecoming parade as one of the oldest living members of the Class of 1946.
Pat was a beauty- dressing sharp with matching jewelry, hair and makeup just so, yet maintaining a sweet and humble spirit. She loved God and loved her family. She had a fun-loving spirit and was happy, positive, smiling and always concerned for the feelings of others. You never heard her say a bad word about anyone. She was loved by her kids, grandkids and all who knew her and will be sorely missed by all.
Pat lived the past 5 years being lovingly cared for by her daughter Melinda and husband Chuck in their home. She briefly lived at the Fillmore Country Club until her passing in November. She is survived by her daughter, Melinda (Chuck) Naas. Grandchildren, Lori (Don) Bennett, Ryan (Angelo) Wileman, Jeffrey (Kelli) Naas, Lisa (Jessica) Givan, all of Fillmore, and Laura (Chad) Counts of Thousand Oaks. Great grandchildren Alyssa (Kenny) Lhotka, Tim Bennett (Susan), Frankie Lozano, Kianna Lozano, Brianna Winbush (Xavier), Carmen, Cody, Mathew and Kailyn Pineda, Charlie, Gabriella, AJ, Genevieve, Caleb & Jillian Munoz, Danica and Jonah Naas and Camille and Austin Counts. Great-great granddaughters, Riley, Margot and Sofia, Great-great Grandsons-Grayson, Elijah, Ezekiel and Joey, and step-grandson, Carter. She was preceded in death by her parents- Floyd and Doris Spangler, husband, William "Bill" Stocker, brother, Delbert Spangler, daughter, Cindy Wileman and granddaughter, Melanie Wileman.
A special thank you to all who lovingly helped care for Pat during the past 5 years- Vanessa Palmer, Bernice Mendez, Comforting Care Hospice, Angel of Grace caregivers and The Fillmore Country Club.
Services will be held for Pat on December 17 - a private burial at Bardsdale Cemetery at 11:00 am and a memorial at 1:00pm at Faith Community Church- 355 D Street, Fillmore, CA. Reception immediacy following at the church. Funeral arrangements by Perez Family Funeral Home. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Faith Community Church.