It is with great sadness that we announce that Oxnard Workers Compensation Judge William M. Carero passed away on April 24th, 2025 at age 69. He is survived by his wife Ana, his children, his two grandchildren, his brother – Christopher Carero, his nieces – Jada, Chrissy, and Aimee Carero, and his cousins – Robert Bubniak and Katherine McClellan, and numerous family and friends.

Judge Carero is predeceased in death by his parents, William and Lottie Carero, as well as Anton and Ethel Carero, John and Elsa Carero, Elizabeth (Bettie) and Edgar Gerberich, and Joseph and Stasia Bubniak.

According the history published by the Ventura County Star, after high school, William – “affectionately known as Bill” – traveled to the west coast to attend Loyola Marymount University, in Los Angeles, California. His enthusiasm for journalism expanded into a role as writer and photo editor for the Los Angeles Loyolan newspaper – he could often be found developing film in the college’s darkroom. In 1975,

Bill co-authored an article that was published in The People’s Almanac. Bill graduated pre-law with a degree in Philosophy in 1977, then went on to earn his Juris Doctor degree at Loyola Law School in 1980, working as news editor for The Loyola Reporter during his years at the school.

Bill began his career at Von Mizener Law as an applicant’s attorney, then moved on to work at Stockwell, Harris, et al., where he practiced as a defense attorney for 17 years. In 2001, Bill was sworn in as a Workers’ Compensation Administrative Law Judge in Ventura County, a position which he held until his retirement in April 2025. Bill proudly served as chair member of the California Lawyer’s Association from 2018 to 2021, where his role was to promote and encourage community among practitioners.

Bill was a founding member of his band, CC&R (Clint, Carero, and Rassp), and devoted countless hours to writing lyrics, playing guitar, singing, and rehearsing. According to its website CC&R is a “A Worker’s Compensation Parody Band” consisting of members Hon. Bill Carero (Guitar, Vocals), John McNeely (Guitar, Vocals), Jesse Bernal, Esq. (Drums), Hon. Clint Feddersen (Bass, Sax), Colleen Hjelle (Vocals), Hon. Robert Rassp (Keyboards), and his son Daniel Rassp (Producer). The original band members consisted of Clint, Carero, and Rassp (Robert), hence the name “CC&R.”

The repertoire of CC&R consists of parodied versions of classic rock hits from 1969-1991, including artists such as Tom Petty, The Beatles, Chicago, Nirvana, Pink Floyd, Queen, Alice Cooper, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Elton John, The Who, The Animals, Metallica, and many more. The songs are parodied by taking the original lyrics of these hit songs, and replacing them with lyrics that comment and criticize the worker’s compensation industry, and their infatuation with classic rock.

The band premiered at the Worker’s Comp Central’s Comp Laude Galla at the Marriott Hotel in Burbank, CA. This was one of six performances of the 2017 Southern California Tour, making it the band’s most ambitious year. CC&R has become a sensation in the worker’s compensation community, and has performed all across California, including as far north as Monterey.

CC&R adapted to the COVID 19 pandemic by going virtual and introducing music videos featured on it’s own YouTube channel where it’s hit songs such as “AME” (A Parody of “Let It Be” by The Beatles) – “What I Like About Comp” (Parody of “What I Like About You” by The Romantics) – “Stop Dragging My Case Around” (Parody of “Stop Dragging My Heart Around” by Tom Petty) – “Surveillance In The Park” (Parody of “Saturday In The Park” by Chicago) – “I’m PJ!” -(Parody of “I’m 18” by Alice Cooper) can still be enjoyed by the workers’ compensation community.

A vigil and rosary will be held in his honor at Ivy Lawn Funeral Home in Camarillo at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025. Funeral services will be held at Padre Serra Parish at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 10th, with a celebration of life to follow.