William Emmett Gwatkin, III

William Emmett Gwatkin, III (“Bill”) of Santa Rosa, California, passed away on Jan. 23, 2021, at the age of 91 from complications of COVID-19.

Bill was born on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1929, in Columbia, Missouri, to LeMay Ryan Gwatkin and William Emmett Gwatkin, Jr., a classics professor at the University of Missouri. He grew up in that university town and remained a loyal “Mizzou” sports fan throughout his life. During those years, he also bonded with “The Lee School Boys,” a group of pals from elementary school with whom he remained lifelong friends.

After graduating from Hickman High School in 1946, he attended The College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1950. He then joined Harvard Law School’s Class of 1953, but his studies were interrupted by military service. He was a proud U.S. Navy veteran, attending the Navy’s Officer Candidate School and serving on the USS Colahan DD 658 as a lieutenant junior grade during the Korean War and while on active duty on the island of Guam. Following his time in the Navy, he returned to Harvard Law School’s campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and completed his law studies, earning a Juris Doctor. While on Christmas leave from the Navy in 1953, Bill married Carol Enid Anderson, whom he met while working at the Wianno Club in Osterville, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod. An extremely devoted couple, they had recently celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary.

After his law school graduation, Bill worked as an attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice Admiralty and Shipping Section for some 20 years. He began his career in Washington, D.C., and later transferred to San Francisco, California, to head the section’s West Coast office. After retiring from the government, Bill continued in private practice for numerous years and served on the board of trustees of the Marin County Law Library in California from 1990 to 2000.

Bill was an active member of The Episcopal Church in the communities where he lived. He served on the vestry at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Belvedere, California, and was a faithful parishioner at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Kenwood, California, where he will be laid to rest in the Memorial Garden.

He will be remembered fondly for his remarkable singing skills. A true Welsh tenor, he lent his voice to the St. Stephen’s Follies and was a longtime member of the Tiburon/Marin Men’s Chorus in California. Each year at the chorus holiday concert, his family would wait anxiously during his “O Holy Night” solo in fear he would miss the high note. He hit it every time.

Bill had a remarkable encyclopedic memory, a profound fascination with all things meteorological and a fondness for waterfalls. His taste in music ranged from Broadway show tunes to cool jazz. Despite being reared in Missouri, he was happiest when beside the ocean. Bill never seemed to mind the water temperature and would jump into frigid surf with Carol by his side. Pajaro Dunes in California and Cape Cod remained favorite spots.

Bill loved a good meal! The Lee School Boys affectionately deemed him “Bones” due to his tall, thin build as a young man. His nickname would stick long after he married Carol and became accustomed to her wonderful cooking. He especially loved her Swedish meatballs, array of Christmas cookies and “hot soup on a cold day.”

Bill is survived by his wife, Carol, and three children: Christina Moghadam (Hamid), Cynthia Rowland (James) and Claire Jones (Marc). In addition, Bill leaves behind his four grandchildren, Cyrus Moghadam, Marshall Jones, Brooke Rowland and Charlotte Jones. He is also survived by his brother, Davidson Ryan Gwatkin (Nina) of Washington, D.C.; his nieces, Li Gwatkin and Kathryn Goulding, and their families; and numerous cousins. In his later years, Bill was particularly amused by the moniker bestowed on him by Kathryn’s daughters: “Gruncle” for great-uncle.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to a charity of your choice.