Former Sailor, Laser Volleyball Player Killed in Crash

Billy Iler Jr., 26, formerly of Newport Harbor High and Irvine Valley College, died in San Bernardino County last weekend from injuries suffered in a car accident Saturday morning when he and two friends were returning from Las Vegas.

Iler was known as Billy Nguyen when he helped Irvine Valley win its first men’s volleyball state championship in 1993 and was named Orange Empire Conference MVP. He played both basketball and volleyball at Newport Harbor.

The driver, Scott Henderson, 28, of Costa Mesa, was killed instantly. Robert David Kerr, 31, of Huntington Beach survived.

A wake for Iler will be held at 6 tonight at the Pacific View Memorial Park, 3500 Pacific View Dr., Newport Beach. The funeral will be Thursday at 1 p.m., at Our Lady Queen of Angels, 2046 Mar Vista Dr., Newport Beach.

Irvine Valley College will start a memorial scholarship fund in Iler’s honor, former Irvine Valley volleyball coach Tom Pestolesi said. Donations can be made in care of the Irvine Valley College Foundation.