Earle William Currier
May 5, 1932-December 17, 2017
A kind man with a subtle sense of humor. A Renaissance man and a bon vivant. A Christian and a true patriot.
Bill was born in San Francisco to Donald and Helen Currier and raised in Millbrae, CA. He graduated from San Mateo High School, class of 1950. He enlisted in the U.S. Army serving in
Nuremberg, Germany. Upon return, Bill married Donna Alexander at the Carmel Mission, CA, in 1956. Utilizing the G.I. Bill he moved to Mexico City to earn a BA degree from Mexico City College. He worked at the family delicatessen while learning the insurance business from his step-father, Raymond Nielsen. He then started his 50+ year insurance career after purchasing his step-father’s agency in San Francisco. In 1958 Bill and Donna had a son, Mark, who joined the business in 1983. Mark enjoyed working with his dad and the insurance team dealing mostly in the truck insurance marketplace. Bill was successful because he really enjoyed working hard for truckers’ insurance needs.
Seeking adventure, he worked on the Alaskan railroad as a “gandy dancer” at the age of 16, climbed to the summits of Mt. Popocatépetl, Mexico, and Mt. Fuji, Japan. Bill was an avid snow skier and enjoyed cross country bicycle rides through Death Valley, around Clear Lake and Lake Tahoe. He rode from Half Moon Bay to San Simeon and rode the Tecate to Ensenada bicycle race. Motorcycle rides were enjoyed in the Sierra Rubicon.
Bill had a wonderful 40+ years as an avid tennis player, hosting Club Currier at his home tennis court. He also enjoyed roller skating on the same court by night and was an uninhibited dancer. Time at his father-in-law’s ranch was often spent dove hunting and branding cattle.
Bill exhibited his theatrical side while attending annual Oscar parties, winning the costume contests dressed as John Wayne riding a horse down the street to the party and Humphry Bogart pulling Donna down the same street in an old “African Queen” row boat. All of this began when he was chosen as an actor playing a Pony Express rider in the 1957 movie “Sierra Baron” filmed in Mexico. He also loved dressing as Santa delivering gifts in the neighborhood.
Bill was a travel enthusiast and avid biography, non-fiction, encyclopedia and almanac reader. He also held a deep connection to John Wayne and the Western culture of America, as he collected Remington sculptures. He served as president of the local Lion’s Club and was also a member of a men’s Bible study group.
He was fortunate to share the last six years of his life with his second true love, Linda Brawner, after his wife’s passing.
He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and clients. He is survived by his son, Mark, grandchildren Kristin and Mark, daughterin-law Nancy, brother Marshall, his (predeceased) brother, Douglas, sisterin-law Mary Ann, beloved cousin Tracy, and many nieces and nephews, close childhood friend of 77 years, Barry Goyette and Cecilia Munoz, his and Donna’s 30 year friend and housekeeper.
Services are planned in two parts as follows:
A memorial service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 975 Sneath Lane, San Bruno, at 11 a.m. on January 20th. This will include a military honor guard presentation and a light reception to follow.
Additional services honoring Bill are planned by his son, Mark, but have been postponed due to a family emergency. Those interested in attending can email Mark at gnarlydude3@ gmail.com.
Donations can be made to any Veterans Group.