William Henry Colburn Jr.

William Henry Colburn Jr., also known as William Wizard, of Hollister, California, passed away on January 8, 2026, at the age of 89.

William was born in 1936 in Hollister, California, to William Colburn and Bonnie Yockey. From the age of ten, he was known as the “Rocket Man,” a name that followed him throughout his life and by which many still refer to him today.

He proudly served in the United States Air Force before embarking on a distinguished career in aerospace engineering. William was a member of the Apollo Project team, and his name is inscribed on the Apollo Memorial in Titusville, Florida. He also worked with NASA on the Saturn V mission, contributing to one of the most significant achievements in human history.

Over the course of 40 years in aerospace engineering, William worked in roles ranging from lead technical positions to consulting, and later served as Vice President of Micro Aerospace Solutions in Florida. He was also a project leader for the Oak Project in California, further reflecting his lifelong commitment to innovation and exploration.

A devoted enthusiast of rocketry and space, William was the head of the Hollister Space Project, based at the Hollister Airport, which had successfully launched eight rockets into flight as of 2003. He was also the founder of the Third Rocket Society in California, helping foster education, experimentation, and enthusiasm for rocketry within the community.

In addition to his engineering career, William had a profound love for magic. Known widely as William Wizard, he spent 23 years as an illusionist and special effects artist, performing around the world. He invented, built, and sold magic illusions, blending technical mastery with creativity and wonder.

William is survived by his wife, Suzanne; his daughters, Antoinette Standard and Tana Bertling; his sister, Denise Resetar; his three stepchildren; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his children’s mother, Clara Campbell; his parents; his brothers, Gary Resetar and Robert Resetar and his beloved daughter, Lenara Colburn.

A funeral service will be held at IOOF Cemetery, located at 600 Buena Vista Road, Hollister, on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home. He will be dearly missed by his loving family and his devoted friends.