Microcomputer inventor is among the 51 dead in devastating California wildfires

Bill Godbout, 79, died on Thursday when the wildfire burned down his Concow home and workshop

A Silicon Valley microcomputer pioneer is among the casualties of the Camp Fire blaze that has scorched California.

Bill Godbout, 79, died on Thursday when the wildfire burned down his Concow home and workshop, according to an obituary posted by the Vintage Computer Federation.

The obituary stated that Godbout was ‘a legend in the S-100 community for his 1970s-1980s work at Godbout Electronics and CompuPro.’

‘For those of us who lived and did business in the East Bay during the opening years of the personal computer revolution Bill was a friend. He operated Bill Godbout Electronics from a Quonset hut on the margins of the Oakland Airport,’ explained Silicon Valley’s Lee Felsenstein. 

‘Bill was a friend and ally to the operators of the first generation of personal computer businesses that grew up in that early period.’ 

‘Bill put on no airs — he was always ‘one of the guys’ and dealt in a straightforward way — this is worth noting for a time just after the opening gun when a new field often brings forth poseurs, popinjays, and pure phonies. 

Godbout was 'a legend in the S-100 community for his 1970s-1980s work at Godbout Electronics and CompuPro'

Godbout was ‘a legend in the S-100 community for his 1970s-1980s work at Godbout Electronics and CompuPro’

A family friend has launched a GoFundMe for his wife and daughter

A family friend has launched a GoFundMe for his wife and daughter

‘Bill was none of those and we are all distraught to learn that he was taken from us in this terrible way.’ 

A family friend has launched a GoFundMe for his wife and daughter. 

In addition to Godbout, Ernest Foss, 63, Jesus ‘Zeus’ Fernandez, 48, Carl Wiley, 77, Ellen Walker, Lolene Rios, 58, John Digby, 78, and Debbe Morningstar, 65, are the first eight Camp Fire victims to be publicly identified. 

Foss was a rock and roll musician who raised three children as a single father in San Francisco, where he built a recording studio in their small Bay Area home and taught music lessons.

He moved to Paradise eight years ago to escape the rising costs of San Francisco.

Ernest Foss, 63, of Paradise

Jesus 'Zeus' Fernandez, 48, of Concow

Ernest Foss, 63, of Paradise (left), and Jesus ‘Zeus’ Fernandez, 48, of Concow (right), both died in the Camp Fire in California

John Digby was a retired postal carrier who had moved to the area from Southern California just a decade ago

John Digby was a retired postal carrier who had moved to the area from Southern California just a decade ago

Angela Loo, Foss’ daughter, said he was bedridden and had been living with advanced lymphedema for 10 years, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

His body was found next to his beloved service dog Bernice outside his home, which he shared with a stepson and caretaker, near his minivan.

Loo believes his stepbrother may have been able to get him into a wheelchair and near the car. Foss’ caretaker, Andrew Burt, remains missing.

John Digby was a retired postal carrier who had moved to the area from Southern California just a decade ago.

He had been in his trailer as the flames engulfed him. 

Rios and her husband Rick, 69, had both relocated in Paradise after losing their home to another fire in Concow in the 1990s.

The retired couple, like many in the town, only found out about the blaze when it was too late.

Family members of Lolene Rios, 58, (right) have also identified her as another victim in Paradise. Her husband Rick Rios, 69, (left) barely made it out of their home alive

Family members of Lolene Rios, 58, (right) have also identified her as another victim in Paradise. Her husband Rick Rios, 69, (left) barely made it out of their home alive

Debbe Morningstar, 65, (pictured) was retired and lived in Paradise for more than 30 years

While she had evacuated her home during previous fires, she decided not to leave her home on Thursday

Debbe Morningstar, 65, (pictured) was retired and lived in Paradise for more than 30 years. While she had evacuated her home during previous fires, she decided not to leave her home on Thursday

Rick saw their neighbor’s house up in flames and went on the roof, hoping he could still save their house by taking out any spot fires.

Rios went to the basement as she began gathering the family’s dogs. In moments, their house was ablaze.

Rick was rescued by firefighters who pulled him off the roof. He is now recovering in the hospital with severe burns on his hands and face, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

‘My dad is in a lot of pain,’ Maria Rios said. ‘He keeps saying, “I have no skin, no skin”. As soon as he heard my voice, he broke down. He kept saying, “Everything is gone. Everything is gone.”’

The Camp Fire is now the deadliest and most destructive fire in the state's history, killing at least 48 people and destroying more than 6,500 homes and 260 buildings as it burned through more than 160,000 acres

The Camp Fire is now the deadliest and most destructive fire in the state’s history, killing at least 48 people and destroying more than 6,500 homes and 260 buildings as it burned through more than 160,000 acres

Carl Wiley will be buried next to his wife in a cemetery in Magalia, which was also devastated by the Camp Fire.

James Wiley said his father, a former tire recapper for Michelin, will share a headstone with his wife Mary Lee, who died of cancer nearly three decades ago.

Fernandez, who also lived in Paradise, was remembered as the ‘epitome of determination, respect, loyalty, and perseverance’.

‘A tireless provider, a dependable and loyal friend, a considerate neighbor, and loving father, he will be sorely missed by all who knew him,’ said family friend Myrna Pascua.

The Woolsey Fire has killed three people - for a statewide total of 51 victims - and tore through more than 97,620 acres

The Woolsey Fire has killed three people – for a statewide total of 51 victims – and tore through more than 97,620 acres

Morningstar was retired and lived in Paradise for more than 30 years. While she had evacuated her home during previous fires, she decided not to leave on Thursday.

The Camp Fire is now the deadliest and most destructive fire in the state’s history, killing at least 56 people and destroying more than 6,500 homes and 260 buildings as it burned through more than 160,000 acres.

After six days, the blaze only remains 35 percent contained and more than 200 people are still missing.

The Woolsey Fire has killed three people – for a statewide total of 59 victims – and tore through more than 97,620 acres. 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk