William H. Roe Sr. 5/17/1935 - 5/4/2023

Our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, partner , uncle and friend passed peacefully in his home surrounded by family and friends, after a short battle with cancer. Bill was born in Oswego, New York. His parents moved to S.F. when he was five years old. He remembered he could lie in his bed and hear the lions from the Zoo roaring as he fell asleep. After a few years the family moved to Los Altos where his father opened Clint's Creamery. As a young man, he worked for his father in the creamery and spent his free time souping up cars and hot-rodding with his friends from Mountain View High School. He enlisted in the Army as a mechanic and served a memorably frigid tour in Korea. Bill joined the fire service in 1963 and had a long career with the Los Altos Fire Department, serving in a variety of roles including firefighter, instructor and Captain. Bill was an integral part of the California Fire Mechanics Association and Academy from 1970 until he retired in 1991. He was instrumental in the establishment of the academy curriculum and eventually, the statewide certification program for fire mechanics in California, one of his proudest career accomplishments. After devoting so much of himself to his career, he was thrilled when his grandson, Josh, followed him into the fire service. Bill had fond memories of his fixer cabin at the Russian River next to his sister's. After a day of playing in the river, picking blackberries and dinner, his kids would fall into bed and listen to a crackling fire , poker chips and much laughter. Even when money was tight, he found a way to take his kids skiing at Tahoe. There was always plenty of hearty homemade soup and warm floor space for the kids friends who had planned to sleep in their cars. He had a big heart. Bill built a sailboat and taught himself to sail and eventually lived aboard his beloved sailboat the Irish Misty for over three decades. Bill was an avid 49er fan his entire life. He made a 49er nutcracker as decor for the holidays . Frequently during a game would sail his boat and then anchor outside the stadium during games. He loved his family and cherished his friends. Bill was an incredible cook and loved to feed people. Bill mastered the BBQ. Much to their glee, he loved playing "pinchy" with his great-grandchildren with the tongs while he barbecued, as he did with his grands, and his kids. He loved boats, boaters and boating on the Bay and summertime in the Delta; He hosted family and friends many times over the years on the boat and in the Delta. He loved listening to jazz and having a Manhattan while BBQing. He loved to play cribbage .He loved the islands and loved to read. He loved having a project to occupy his mind and hands, and he could make or fix anything or learn a new skill if it captured his interest. He loved his recliner after three decades spent living on a sailboat. He hated Brussels sprouts. Bill is survived by his wunnaful partner Maureen (Mo) son Bill Jr. (Katherine), daughter Faith (Matt), 6 grandchildren 7 great-grandchildren. His was a long and well-lived life and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. "There are good ships and wood ships, and ships that sail the sea, but the best ships are the friendships and may they always be!" Celebration of Life September 9 in Auburn, CA from 11 am - 3 pm RSVP 530-613-3546.