William James Silva

William (Bill) was born in Watsonville, California to Frank and Mary Silva, a loving and close Portuguese family. He was the oldest of three children. Bill went to E. A. Hall Elementary School. He graduated from Watsonville High School in 1955. He then went on to the University of California Berkeley, graduating in 1959 with a degree in Civil Engineering. Bill served in the U.S. Navy as a naval aviation technician, stationed at Alameda Naval Air Station.

Bill's engineering degree took him to several Bay Area cities. Over the years, he also worked for two engineering companies: Harris & Associates and Santina & Thompson. He was working at the age of 82 for the City of Pacific Grove. He loved his work and never wanted to quit.

Bill was also a farmer at heart. He got his love of farming at his grandfather's (VoVo) side in Watsonville. He loved his fruit trees, grapevines, berry vines, and vegetable garden. He shared the fruits of his labor: wine, jams, jellies, fruits, and vegetables. He, his brother-in-law, and his nephews made salsa that was coveted by all who tasted it.

Bill also loved going to S.F. Giants ball games with family, always keeping score. He loved to attend sporting events that his children, nephews, and grandchildren played in. Bill was also a runner. He ran three marathons and many 10Ks, running most of these with his close extended family.

Bill loved going to Yosemite after Christmas each year. He skied at Badger Pass where he learned to ski as a youth with the Scouts. He loved ice skating there. He even took his skates out to Mirror Lake so he could skate on the frozen lake. This was a family affair. He skied and skated with his in-laws, sons, grandsons, and nephews. He loved being there with his family in the winter.

Bill loved to travel. He saw several states while going to public works conferences. If there was a baseball park there, it meant a game. If there was a national park nearby, it definitely meant a trip to get his park book stamped. He traveled to Australia, Alaska, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and almost all 50 states. He really looked forward to his March vacation on Maui with his Alaska family and his son Frank. He enjoyed each one of the islands, but Maui was his favorite. He would surf, boogie board, swim, whale watch, relax, run (he did several 10Ks there), and visit the national parks on all of the islands. Bill was a collector. He has T-shirts, ball caps, pins, patches, brass Christmas ornaments, and coffee mugs from every place he visited.

Bill was a handyman with no comparison. He was always willing to show up for any project to help whether demolition, carpentry, roofing, plumbing, pruning, or fruit picking. He was willing to work or teach.

Most of all, Bill loved history and life, enjoying so much more than we can ever list.

William is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 43 years, Wilmetta of Antioch; sons Frank (Holly) of Sonora; Joseph (Melissa) of Reno, NV; Anthony (Kristina) of Las Vegas, NV; daughter Janet (Terry) Davis of Antioch; Kathy (Don) Findley of Merced; 11 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Many in-laws thought of Bill as a brother not as an in-law.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, sister Linda Perrin, brother John Silva, son Raymond Redfield, daughter Elizabeth Redfield, son Geno Silva, several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Bill will be greatly missed by his family, extended family, and all that knew him.

Due to COVID-19, his services will be for immediate family only. He will be interred at Holy Cross Cemetery in Antioch. A moment of silence is requested on his behalf on February 5, 2021. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In Lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to:

The ALS Association Golden West Chapter

P.O. Box 565, Agoura Hill, CA, 91376

Or to:

Berkeley College of Engineering

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Fund

1995 University Ave, Suite 400

Berkeley, CA, 94704

Love and miss you.

Published in The Pajaronian · January 28, 2021