Chico Weekly Enterprise, Friday, September 14, 1906: "It is stated that W.J. Costar is being urged by prominent Republicans to permit his name to be presented to the Republican county convention as a candidate for the Assembly from this district. Mr. Costar has not as yet made public his decision in the matter."

The Chico Enterprise, Thursday Evening, November 10, 1932: "Death of William J. Costar Shocks Entire Community. The entire city was shocked today by the sudden death of William James Costar, widely known realtor and insurance man and a resident of this city for the last 50 years.

"Death came last night at 10 o'clock at his home at 4707 Fifth street following an illness that overtook him while fishing on the Klamath River early this week, and from which he returned Monday night.

"Costar was born in Dubuque, Iowa, March 26, 1860. He came to California with his parents by ox-team when he was only four years of age, settling first at Nicholas where he attended the public schools before coming to Chico a few years later.

"In Chico deceased attended the Woodman's private school at that time located in the block where Costar later built his home. Leaving school, Costar accepted a position of General John Bidwell, by whom he was employed as an accountant and bookkeeper for many years.

"Possessed of a remarkable memory and a keen sense of humor Costar distinctly recalled many of the incidents that made up the earlier life of Chico and had many distinct recollections of facts concerning his late employer whose name is inextricably associated with the development of the city of Chico.

"He was a fluent speaker and where ever and whenever he appeared in public in such a capacity, he commanded the closest attention and interest because of his exceptional ability as a story teller.

"Entering the real estate and insurance business after he left the employ of General Bidwell, Costar was singularly a man of justice and human kindness. A lover of out-door sports, Costar in recent years spent much of his spare time in the hills where he knew the lives of wild animals much as he understood and loved his fellow men.

"In 1885 he married Miss Helen S. Camper, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Camper, who resided diagonally across the street from the place where he had made his home for many years.

"Deceased was past master of the Chico Blue Lodge of Masons and was a member of the local Odd Fellows Lodge No. 113, of which he was the first noble grand, taking office immediately after the lodge moved into its present quarters in 1894 [?]. He was also a member of the Presbyterian church and for many years was active in the church and Sunday school work there. He was also a member of the Deluge company of the veteran firemen of this city.

"Among his many activities during his long and useful career in this city, was the laying of the corner stone of the Chico Normal School building when that institution was finally located here. The local Masonic lodge officiated at the ceremony and Costar had a prominent part in the work.

"From 1907 to 1911 deceased was elected assemblyman from this district and as such did some excellent work in the state legislature.

"Aside from the thousands who will mourn his passing, survivors include the widow, Mrs. Helen S. Costar, three sons, Dr. W. J. Costar Jr. and Lloyd (Tommy) Costar, both of Chico, and Garrison Costar of Placentia, Orange County; one daughter, Mrs. E. H. Kunze of Davis; a brother, A. P. Costar of Westwood; two sisters, Mrs. Tillie Warren of San Francisco and Mrs. Charles H. Lee of Red Bluff; and four grandchildren.

"Private funeral services will be held from the family home at 10 o'clock Saturday morning with the Rev. R. S. Eastman of Red Bluff and the Rev. Harris Pillsbury of the Bidwell Memorial church officiating. The body will be taken to Sacramento for cremation at Eastlawn."

Chico Weekly Enterprise, Friday, September 14, 1906: "It is stated that W.J. Costar is being urged by prominent Republicans to permit his name to be presented to the Republican county convention as a candidate for the Assembly from this district. Mr. Costar has not as yet made public his decision in the matter."

The Chico Enterprise, Thursday Evening, November 10, 1932: "Death of William J. Costar Shocks Entire Community. The entire city was shocked today by the sudden death of William James Costar, widely known realtor and insurance man and a resident of this city for the last 50 years.

"Death came last night at 10 o'clock at his home at 4707 Fifth street following an illness that overtook him while fishing on the Klamath River early this week, and from which he returned Monday night.

"Costar was born in Dubuque, Iowa, March 26, 1860. He came to California with his parents by ox-team when he was only four years of age, settling first at Nicholas where he attended the public schools before coming to Chico a few years later.

"In Chico deceased attended the Woodman's private school at that time located in the block where Costar later built his home. Leaving school, Costar accepted a position of General John Bidwell, by whom he was employed as an accountant and bookkeeper for many years.

"Possessed of a remarkable memory and a keen sense of humor Costar distinctly recalled many of the incidents that made up the earlier life of Chico and had many distinct recollections of facts concerning his late employer whose name is inextricably associated with the development of the city of Chico.

"He was a fluent speaker and where ever and whenever he appeared in public in such a capacity, he commanded the closest attention and interest because of his exceptional ability as a story teller.

"Entering the real estate and insurance business after he left the employ of General Bidwell, Costar was singularly a man of justice and human kindness. A lover of out-door sports, Costar in recent years spent much of his spare time in the hills where he knew the lives of wild animals much as he understood and loved his fellow men.

"In 1885 he married Miss Helen S. Camper, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Camper, who resided diagonally across the street from the place where he had made his home for many years.

"Deceased was past master of the Chico Blue Lodge of Masons and was a member of the local Odd Fellows Lodge No. 113, of which he was the first noble grand, taking office immediately after the lodge moved into its present quarters in 1894 [?]. He was also a member of the Presbyterian church and for many years was active in the church and Sunday school work there. He was also a member of the Deluge company of the veteran firemen of this city.

"Among his many activities during his long and useful career in this city, was the laying of the corner stone of the Chico Normal School building when that institution was finally located here. The local Masonic lodge officiated at the ceremony and Costar had a prominent part in the work.

"From 1907 to 1911 deceased was elected assemblyman from this district and as such did some excellent work in the state legislature.

"Aside from the thousands who will mourn his passing, survivors include the widow, Mrs. Helen S. Costar, three sons, Dr. W. J. Costar Jr. and Lloyd (Tommy) Costar, both of Chico, and Garrison Costar of Placentia, Orange County; one daughter, Mrs. E. H. Kunze of Davis; a brother, A. P. Costar of Westwood; two sisters, Mrs. Tillie Warren of San Francisco and Mrs. Charles H. Lee of Red Bluff; and four grandchildren.

"Private funeral services will be held from the family home at 10 o'clock Saturday morning with the Rev. R. S. Eastman of Red Bluff and the Rev. Harris Pillsbury of the Bidwell Memorial church officiating. The body will be taken to Sacramento for cremation at Eastlawn."