William Fries, II

February 16, 1921 - December 11, 2016

William (“Bill”) Fries, II, a lifelong San Franciscan born in the City on February 16, 1921, passed away in his Pacific Heights home on December 11, 2016. Dearly beloved son of the late Helen Baddeley and Frank H. Fries, Bill was also preceded in death by his younger brother Frank, Jr. Bill was named after his grandfather, William Fries, who was a stockholder in the Richmond-Eureka Mining Co. and later held high offices in the California Packing Corporation (which became the Del Monte Corporation), Western Pacific Railroad and The Emporium.

Bill enjoyed a happy boyhood, including monthslong trips to Europe and residence in the Mark Hopkins Hotel, where he and Frank, Jr. were frequently seen in the elevators and “helping out” in the bar, and where they kept ducks and reptiles in the bathtub of their suite.

Bill graduated from the Bates School, whose graduation party was held at the Mark Hopkins hotel – in the same bar where Bill and Frank Jr. had played as children. After high school Bill attended Pomona College and the University of California, where he studied political science and drama, was very active in college theater and appeared in numerous plays. Following college, Bill held a variety of jobs, including acting in films, and working for airlines and the Veteran’s Administration.

Ultimately, Bill settled on a career in real estate, in which he achieved much success. In his late 40s, Bill awakened to the importance of philanthropy, making substantial contributions to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, California Academy of Sciences, Grace Cathedral, San Francisco Zoo, the Exploratorium, KQED and the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert, CA. Contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to any of these charities.

In his last years, Bill enjoyed the assistance of many caregivers, including a massage therapist, a physical therapist and a music therapist. They are all greatly appreciated. A memorial service was held at Grace Cathedral. A committal service was held at the Fries family plot, Garden of Mediation, Cypress Lawn Cemetery.