William L. “Bill” Ramirez

August 17, 1925 - December 31, 2018

Passed away peacefully at his home in Sonoma on December 31, 2018 after a long illness. He was 93 years. He was predeceased by his wife of 39 years, Patricia Kelly Ramirez, his parents, Cosme and Maria Morales Ramirez, and his brother Arthur. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Dolores Tompkins Gater, his four daughters, Marguerite Damewood (Phillip), Theresa Grosvenor (Dave), Kathleen Ramirez (Brian O’Neil) and Noelle Marler (Roy), his two sisters Rose Williamson and Irene Gard, seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law Aileen Kelly, Claire Tompkins and Jean Tompkins, and several nieces, nephews and extended family.

Born in San Francisco, Bill attended St. Agnes grammar school, St. Ignatius High School and received his BS in History at the University of San Francisco. He subsequently earned his MLS (Masters of Library Science) at UC Berkeley.

Bill had a 47 year career with the San Francisco Public Library, his assignments included Principal Librarian in Rare Books and Special Collections, Director of the Bay Area Reference Center (BARC) and Special Consultant to the Latin American Library in Oakland. Bill became the Chief of the Main Library in San Francisco in 1972. When he retired, then mayor Art Agnos declared August 24, 1990 as “William L. (Bill) Ramirez Day” in honor of his contributions to the city. Bill was a member of the St. Leo’s Men’s Club, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Young Men’s Institute Council #1 and the Native Sons of the Golden West, Parlor III.

Bill collected all things Don Quixote and had an extensive collection in all forms of media even including a bar of soap carved in relief. Bill’s large collection of silent films and early movies was happily shared with his family.

He always enjoyed family vacations. The annual trek to the Russian River would find him most days at the beach with his packed lunch, books and transistor radio. In retirement, Bill and Dolores enjoyed many trips to Hawaii, Mexico and Europe.

Friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass, Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, 601 Agua Caliente Road, Sonoma, CA 95476. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 11, 2019 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. with a vigil service beginning at 6 p.m. at Duggan’s Mission Chapel, 525 West Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476. The family prefers in lieu of flowers, donations be considered to St. Vincent de Paul, St. Leo’s Conference, 601 W. Agua Caliente Rd., Sonoma, CA 95476, Hanna Boys Center, P.O. Box 100, Sonoma, CA 95476 or

St. Anthony Foundation, Department 05719, P.O. Box 39000, San Francisco, CA 94139-5719