1932 — 2012
LAGUNA HILLS, CALIFORNIA — Willie “Gene” Eugene Underwood, 79, of Laguna Hills, passed away July 1, 2012. Gene passed peacefully after battling various health issues.
Gene was predeceased by his son, Stephen, of Moreno Valley, California, and brother, Monte, of Waynesville.
Gene was born Dec. 5, 1932, in Waynesville, to Samuel and Ruth Underwood. He married his wife, Carole Hogue, Oct. 10, 1954. After an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1955, he went to North Carolina State University graduating with a Mechanical Engineering degree in 1959.  He moved to Southern California in 1962, finally settling in Laguna Hills, California, in 1970. He worked in the aerospace, energy and consulting fields for more than 50 years. Gene held several leadership positions in the American ...