Bill Abbott, 64; Regal Cleaners Manager

Bill Abbott, the longtime general manager of Regal Cleaners on Via de la Paz and a Pacific Palisades booster, passed away on March 22. He was 64. Born in Simpson, Illinois on February 15, 1940, Abbott was one of five children. His history in the dry cleaning business dates back to his childhood, as his father was also in the same industry. Abbott worked for the Green family at Carriage Trade, in Brentwood, and Regal Cleaners for 35 years; according to Steve Green, ‘he was a part of our family, not just an employee. He was dearly loved by his employees and by the Palisades community.’ The Palisades was Abbott’s home away from home. He was a true member of the community. Along with Regal Cleaners, he was an avid supporter of the local schools and of local sports teams. He was truly a man dedicated to serving his customers, who were not customers to him but friends. At the annual 4th of July parade you would see Abbott and his wife and daughter out in front of the store, and would be surprised at how many celebrities and notables in the parade would yell out greetings to him, such as ‘Hey, Bill, how are you?’ and ‘Hey, Bill, keep it clean!’ Away from the Palisades, Abbott was a ‘mean barbecue machine.’ At his memorial service last Sunday at Aldersgate Retreat Center in the Palisades, one of his friends told the story of how he even had a way of barbecuing in the rain. You would look out the window and there he would be with an umbrella hooked to his belt loops, grilling away. He was also a true wine connoisseur. Family and friends would call and ask his opinion before making that special wine purchase for special events. Abbott and his wife also loved to go on motorcycle road trips with friends, traveling from Mexico to the Oregon coast. Abbott is survived by his wife Sheri; daughter Lindsey, 8; and two brothers. Sheri and Lindsey left Monday morning to take him home to finally rest in his home town in Illinois.