Downey, Bill

William Downey, known to most as "Bill", was born June 15, 1922 in Ottumwa, Iowa. His family moved to Chicago, Illinois where Downey attended elementary school and early high school. The family returned to Ottumwa following the death of his father. After graducating from high school he enlisted in the Marine Corps to fight in World War II. In 1945, after leaving the Marine Corps, he returned to Iowa where he eventually owned and operated an auto repair shop in Des Moines for over twenty years.

In 1965, Downey and his wife visited Santa Barbara and relocated to the community the following year. During this time, his wife encouraged him to begin his writing career. Having only a high school education, Downey set out to start a career in journalism. Although he was in his 40's before he began his writing career, it was obvious that he had a natural talent for writing after he published a three-part story about the African-American Muslims in Santa Barbara. The article caught the attention fo the Santa Barbara News Press and Downey became its first African-American reporter.

Downey was famous for his "Gone Fishin" columns, which often featured a colorful character, "Uncle Russell" He also published feature articles in Better Homes & Gardens, Western Outdoor News, American Shootgunner and Outdoor Life. Downey was well respected in the literary community for his work with the Santa Barbara Writers' Conference and his writing classes through adult education and UCSB Extension. William Downey died in 1994.

From the description of The William Downey Papers, 1922-1994. (University of California, Santa Barbara). WorldCat record id: 48635405