William Erzinger Tolson

May 14, 1940 - April 13, 2021

William Erzinger Tolson was born in Kankakee, Illinois on May 14, 1940 to Isabel Erzinger Tolson and Joseph John Tolson. Bill was a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL, where in 1958 his brother Joe had his greatest moment of pride initiating Bill into Sigma Chi Fraternity -- thereafter they were infamously known as Brother Brother Tolson. Bill enjoyed a successful banking career and was fortunate to retire young and be able to spend lots of time with his family and travel the world, including a 2 month trip around the world on Pan Am. Bill cherished the friendships he made as a long time Rotarian and member of The Family. He was a Paul Harris and Bru Brunnier Fellow in the San Francisco Rotary, and traveled to Tokyo in 1980 to attend the Rotary International Convention. He enjoyed sport fishing, golf, keeping up with news and current events, and investing in and watching the stock market. He celebrated life as a long-time San Francisco resident hosting dinner parties, rooting for the Giants and the ‘49ers, and taking in the view of Alcatraz and the SF Bay from his home on Russian Hill.

Bill loved good food, his favorite restaurant was the House of Prime Rib, and his drink of choice was a gin martini. Big turkey dinners with all the trimmings and fresh Dungeness crab and sourdough bread from Fisherman’s Wharf were always a joy as well. He enjoyed the time he spent at his residence in Pattaya, Thailand and San Francisco with his wife, Ratchakorn, who was the most important part of his life. He was a devoted father to his children; Julianne, Sarah, Dia, Thip, and Santi and treasured spending time with his granddaughters Sonya and Poppy. He passed peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife, children, and granddaughters, as well as his brother, Joseph, his wife, Patricia, and their children, Barbara and David. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.