James W. Decker, Former Chief of O.C. Chamber, Dies
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COSTA MESA — James Willet Decker of Laguna Beach, a local developer and former president of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce, died at a Costa Mesa nursing home. He was 81.
Decker, a native of Santa Ana, had been a resident of Laguna Beach since 1945, when he returned from service in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps.
Decker began a lengthy career with the Southern Counties Gas Co. as a gas pipeline worker in Laguna Beach and ended as manager of the district headquarters.
He later became a director of the Laguna Beach County Water District and was a developer of the Lumberyard Mall in Laguna Beach.
Decker also was a founder of the county’s Big Brothers chapter, a former president of the Laguna Beach Rotary Club, and a member of the boards of the Laguna Beach Boys Club and the Laguna Beach YMCA.
He is survived by his wife, Lucile of Mission Viejo; his son, Willet Decker of Laguna Beach, and a grandson.
Decker, who died Friday, requested that there be no funeral services. His ashes will be scattered at sea.
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