William ‘Billy D’ Deschamps
28 February 2021
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Our sweetheart and racing legend, William “Billy D” Deschamps, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021.
Billy D was born in Berkeley, California, on Nov. 18, 1938. In 1945, his family moved from Walnut Creek to Lakeport.
In 1946, Billy’s father Marion opened Deschamps Automotive and shortly after, owned the Richfield Station, across the street from the Deschamps Oldsmobile/GMC Dealership on Main St.
Billy D graduated from Clear Lake Union High School in 1956. After graduating, he enlisted in the Army Reserve, training at Fort Ord.
In July of 1957, while operating the family business with his dad Marion and brother-in-law Gene Lovi, Billy married Sharon Clifford. Their first child, Barbi, was born in 1961, and in 1964, the same year he became the proud owner of Deschamps Automotive, their son, Michael, was born.