William Syme
August 7, 1928 - December 18, 2023
William Benjamin Syme, affectionally known as “Uncle Bill” by family and friends, passed away peacefully, on December 18, 2023. Bill was born in San Francisco – the city he loved – on August 7, 1928, and was a true “San Franciscan,’ living there all his life, until 2016 when he moved to Windsor, to be closer to family. He was pre-deceased by his father, John F. Syme; mother, Barbara Syme; brothers, Francis (Frank) Syme, John F. Syme II (Phyllis), Charles Syme (Dorothy); and sister, Barbara Grupico. He is survived by many nieces and nephews, Kathleen (Syme) Sires, Charles “Bud” Syme, Denise (Syme) Canistra, Carol Walsh (Tom), John G. Syme, Brian Grupico (Joan), Barbara Ann (Grupico) Cinque (Geno), John F. Syme III (Lynette), Walter Syme; and with many great and great-great-nieces and nephews.
Bill attended St. Theresa’s Grammar School in the Potrero District, followed by Sacred Heart High School. He joined the Army when the Korean conflict broke out, serving two years ‘In-Country’ and achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant, as well as several decorations for his service.
Returning home, Bill went to work as a tollcollector on the SF-Oakland Bay Bridge. This was followed by a long career with the California Department of Motor Vehicles. In the late-seventies, Bill left the DMV to focus full-time on the numerous properties in his Real Estate portfolio. He had a knack for finding properties in need of much TLC -- which he provided – and then turning them for a profit. Bill always drove a convertible, the reason being, he could load and carry lumber for the properties he was refurbishing! This was his primary focus for the next 30+ years, before finally retiring in his mideighties.
Bill was an avid reader and loved to travel abroad.
He was passionate about his roots and made many trips to the Scottish Highlands of his father, and County Leitrim, of the ‘Emerald Isle,’ where his mother hailed from.
Bill’s nieces and nephews were truly, “His Kids.” Generous to a fault, he was always there for them. He will be remembered for his quiet, but affable persona. Seldom was he seen without a smile, along with a kind word and a keen interest in what “His Kids” were up to. A kind and gentle man, Bill will be missed by those “Kids,” as well as all their friends who knew him. A special thanks to Eroni ‘Eron’ Ravulo, Bill’s caregiver, for his kindness, dedication, and friendship over this past year, as well as his nurse, Pierre Salonga, for his warm and compassionate care.
Friends may visit on Sunday, January 7, 2024 beginning at 4:00 p.m., at Duggan’s Serra Mortuary, 500 Westlake Ave., Daly City where a recitation of the Rosary will be begin at 6:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, January 8th at St. Teresa of Avila Church, 1490 19th St., in San Francisco. He will be laid to rest beside his family at Holy Cross Cemetery, in Colma. In lieu of flowers, the family asks those interested to instead donate in Bill’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.