William Wilson

December 2, 1935 – February 26, 2022

Bill was born to Betty and Bernarr Wilson and raised in Omaha, NE until age 7, when his family moved to Piedmont, CA. Bill attended Piedmont High and then Cal Berkeley (‘57, Go Bears!), where he was a Sigma Nu. After college, Bill was stationed in France for 2-years with the Army as a lieutenant in charge of a supply transport platoon. Upon his return, Bill earned a MBA from the Haas School of Business at Cal and soon thereafter joined the Family Club in San Francisco where he made many life-long friends. He loved to laugh and sing with the Songbirds, and participated in theater productions until the end of his life, all the while striving to be “forever young” – the Family Club motto.

In 1979, Bill serendipitously attended a Halloween party hosted by his bride to be, Kickan, and it was love at first sight. They were married on September 13, 1980, and Bill became a devoted father to his step-son, Bill Graves. Bill and Kickan had their daughter, Kate, in 1981 and lived many happy years in San Francisco, Orinda, and Walnut Creek (Rossmoor). Bill’s career spanned nearly 60-years as a commercial real estate broker and consultant, working in Oakland and San Francisco. He loved his family and friends, skiing, tennis, traveling, the 49ers,

Cal football, dominos, chocolate milkshakes, and his miniature schnauzers. Bill recovered from two strokes over the past 20 years, and his fight and tenacity were truly inspiring.

Bill is survived by Kickan, Bill Graves (Sara), Kate (Kurt Lind), Bill’s brother, Bob, and nephews Kristian Wilson, and Duke Cumbelich. However his greatest legacy and most cherished roll was “Pa” to his grandchildren, Jack and Justine Graves and Abigail Lind. Bill was predeceased by his doting sister, Barby. Bill was a kind and gentle man, beloved by many, and is dearly missed.

The family wishes to thank all of Bill’s specialists at Kaiser for their kindness and care over many years. A celebration of life service will be scheduled at a later time. A donation in Bill’s memory can be made to Choice in Aging (490 Gulf Club Rd., Pleasant Hill, CA 94523) where Bill served as a Board member.