William Allan Herzog

William Allan “Al” Herzog passed away July 27, 2025. Known for his kindness, generosity, quick wit, and unwavering commitment to service, Al touched countless lives through his humor, volunteerism, and dedication to community and country.

Born July 22, 1930, to Gladys (Purcell) Herzog and William Frederick Herzog, Al grew up in Lakewood Village/Long Beach. His childhood was filled with adventure and mischievous fun—stories that could make him laugh until tears came to his eyes, even decades later. A lover of humor and practical jokes, he brought joy and laughter to many.

During his sophomore year at Wilson High School in Long Beach, Al met his lifelong love, Willa Noble, in math class. After graduation, Willa attended Stanford University while Al pursued his studies at UC Berkeley, where he pledged Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, a brotherhood that became a cornerstone of his life. His commitment to TKE endured long after college: he established a scholarship for business majors at Berkeley, served on the national TKE Education Board, and was honored with both the Alumnus of the Year and Fraternity for Life awards.

Al and Willa married on June 28, 1952. Soon after, Al proudly served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Finance Corps from 1953 to 1955, based in San Pedro. Following his honorable discharge, he earned a master’s degree in accounting from USC and went on to a distinguished career as a CPA and later in finance, spending much of his career at Jefferies & Company. He was especially proud of having executed what was then the largest block trade in Wall Street history. Al was with Smith Barney when he retired in 2009.

Beyond his career, Al devoted himself to community and family. He served on the boards of Presbyterian Hospital, the La Habra Heights Water District, the Highland Riders Equestrian Club, and Financial Executives International. At home, he was a kind, devoted and loving father to his daughters, Karen and Lisa (Sonette Steyn). During their childhood, he could be found driving to swim meets, hauling their 4H sheep to the Orange County Fair or serving as groom and tack master for them and their horses at equestrian events. He and Willa cherished their home on Cloister Drive, where entertaining, family and friends filled their lives.

In 1984, Willa was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Al pursued every possible avenue for treatment, but she succumbed to the disease in 1987. Al married Rev. Carole Snyder in 1988 and shared the next chapter of his life with her. He became a kind and generous step-father to Carole’s children Leslie (Ray) Clavin, Frederick Snyder and Paula (John) McCaffrey and a doting grandfather to their children Ryan and Matthew Clavin and Bennett and Campbell McCaffrey.

An avid traveler and sports fisherman, Al found another brotherhood in the Southern California Tuna Club. He served as its president in 2010 and supported the club’s Marine Biology Education Fund. He was especially proud of catching a 380-pound yellowfin tuna—at the time, the second largest ever recorded.

Above all, Al will be remembered as a man of integrity, warmth, and humor—a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. In addition to his daughters and step-family, he leaves behind his two cherished grandchildren who brought him endless joy; Hank Orzel (Molly) and Stephanie Fass (Josh)- as well as two great-grandchildren, George Orzel and Scottie Fass.

Al’s legacy of service, laughter, and love lives on in the family and friends who cared deeply about him.