William David Elkins, Aka "Wild Bill" born December 20th 1949 in Tuscon, Az. to William Woodrow Elkins Born August 26th 1914, and passed on May 19th 1995, employed with Convair as a missile Mechanic for 27 years, and Bueldean Elkins, (maiden name Hargrove) Born on May 10 1927 and passed on June 1 2009.

 

Miss Bueldean Hargrove and William W. Elkins were united in marriage in an informal, double-ring/ceremony at 5 p.m. Wednesday July 25th 1945 in the parsonage of the First Baptist church. Bueldean Elkins later remarried after her husband had been laid to rest.

 

William David Elkins Leaves behind his two sisters:

His older sister Paula Nahhas, of Modesto, Ca. Paula is married to Caesar Nahhas and they have three children; Dawn Nahhas and her son Aden Boynton, Robin Nahhas married to Jay Davis, & Michael Nahhas and his Wife Jen Nahhas have two daughters Talon & Teagan Nahhas. &

His younger sister Elizabeth Elkins aka “Beth Leitz” of San Marcos, Ca. from her marriage to her late husband Michael Leitz, she has three surviving children Amber Leitz, and her two daughters Bella and Ivy, Aaron Leitz, and Abrham Leitz, and his daughters. (Names still to come)

 

William David Elkins helped raise other children that were not his own including Shane, Austin, and Dillon Neilson with his ex-girlfriend Kat.

 

William David Elkins is also survived by the following of his ex-wives, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren as follows:

 

First born son John Kelley, confirmed through a DNA test from 23 & me, from his first wife Linda Frances Huff of Santa Maria, Ca. John Kelly is Married to Tynea (Tina) Kelley and they have a daughter Megan from Tina's first relationship which John Kelley like his father took in and raised as his own daughter, and two grand children, Bowen 6 years old and Macklynn age 6.

 

William David Elkins was married to Jeannette Marie Hann, age 20 from Salinas, Ca. They were married on July 3rd, 1970. His second wife passed at age 66, on Mar, 1983. It is unknown if they had any children together.

 

He is also survived by his daughter Wendy Christina Vincent, of San Luis Obispo, ca.  and her daughter Michelle Vincent (LNC) Gwenndolynne Grey, born in El Paso Texas., from his third marriage to “Dody Vincent” Maiden name “Clara Lou Lewis” from Tipton TN. Dody Vincent of San Luis Obispo, Ca. and William David Elkins of Los Angeles, Ca. Both were 24 years old, born 1 day apart. They were married on November 13th 1974. Dody Vincent passed away on May 16th 2018.

 

William David Elkins Married Latona Lynn High June 27th, 1984. Latona Lynn Elkins came into the marriage with a daughter, Angelia Hepburn (maiden name High) which William David Elkins took in as his own daughter and raised her. Angelia has three daughters Jewlia, Amilia, and Cecila and four grandchildren.

 

William David Elkins graduated 8th grade on 1964 from Orcutt Middle School, on the same day his sister Paula Graduated Righetti high school. William David Elkins later graduated Righetti high school in 1968 at the age of 19 years old. William David Elkins attend Auto tech school for Mechanics at Custa College. The first time was in 1984 and again he returned for more classes in 1998.

 

William David Elkins Army S/4, was recorded as being assigned to the U.S. Army Depot near long Binh Vietnam on October 10th 1968 after spending a year with the 32nd Armored Division in Frankfurt, Germany.

 

William Elkins like his father was mechanically inclined and decided to own his own Automotive shop, and later a Mobile Auto Mechanics business from Jan 1, 2005 to September 30, 2006, according to the state of California Bureau of Auto Repair's website. In his later years William David Elkins opened a Handyman business and did consulting for people on their home remodels. He was a landlord with a tenant in the back of his house on HUD. He was also an avid Thrift stroller. He dove in the flea markets with a competitive edge and loved to save money. He came alive when he learned of Craigslist's Free section! 

 

Several years before he passed he was diagnosed with Cancer and was treated by the VA, in Southern California. In early 2022 he had a Stroke and was rushed to the hospital. He remained there for several days. He had several other health problems according to those who were closest to him in his final days.

 

He took his final breath after having a fatal heart attack, in his home in Atascadero, Ca. on May 2, 2025.

 

William David Elkins, was a long-time inventor, author, and remained in the pursuit of knowledge until the end. Wild Bill Elkins leaves behind a legacy of inventions including Wild Bills Bubble Beds, and lots of friends from Pismo Beach where he loved to go off roading in the hand made sand rails and the custom volkswagen Bus he converted into a dune buggy.

 

He was known as the life of the party and the trickster! He was always pulling a prank on someone, listening to deep music and wanting to teach the deep meaningful parts of life to those around him. He was quick witted and just as quick tempered. He would rather hitch hike then be stuck in a car or in a conversation that he didn't like. He will be remembered as the Fun loving ladies man who could fix anything! His favorite restaurant was AJ Spurs and didn't mind the drive from Atascadero to have dinner there. It was always a celebratory occasion. 

 

One of his most known sayings during his life was.... "Change your mind, Change your world".