Share your memories
Thank you for visiting. William touched many lives and his physical presence will be greatly missed.
We welcome your comments, condolences and memories
Please tell us when and how you came to know William and what you will remember about him. What interests did you share? How did he touch your life?
You are such a shining light in my heart. Your words, art, laughter, and love will live in this world for eternity. I am so blessed to know you, my friend.
Love you.
Mira
We will miss you Uncle Billy! To the family, may GOD give you peace that surpasses all understanding!
Our family is deeply saddened by the passing of Billy. We’ll always remember him fondly and feel lucky that we had the pleasure of meeting him at our family reunion. Billy will be very missed by our family here in St. Louis, Missouri. Our deepest prayers are there with you all doing this time of sorrow.
Carolyn, Terrol, Christi and Evan Zomphier
A big man. A big heart. A big mind. A big voice. A big boy. A big bear. A big father. A big laugh. A big friend. A big hole in my heart. Oliver and I will miss you big time, One more big thing. A big Warrior now sitting in the best seat in the house.
Cousin Billy rest in peace and you will be missed here on this earth. I know you are spreading the joy in heaven as you did on earth. To my family, stay strong and know that absent from the body, present with the LORD. God Bless you all and He will bring you through this time of sorrow.
Psalm 23
Dear Family, we are sending our heartfelt condolences & prayers during this difficult time. Although cousin Billy is in a much better place I was so looking forward to seeing Billy at our family reunion. You will always be remembered cousin.
I remember seeing Billy when he would come home to visit his family on Bartmer, in St. Louis. He was much older than me, but I admired him from afar because he was so “hip” and “cool”. Always so nice and smiling.
I remember Bill has a good friend, a kind man who would do anything for his friends. We had many many great adventures, and we had lots of fun. We shared a lot. We had a great time when I visited him in San Francisco years ago and I miss him so very much today.
I will always remember Bill as a great friend and brother. I met Bill at Washington University in 1970 as an incoming freshman and almost immediately we became friends. There are far too many stories, events and adventures that we shared over our years in STL together to even begin to describe our friendship. We both moved away but always managed to stay in contact and keep up with each other. I got to visit him in SF twice, years ago, and over the past few years he had often asked me to come out to SF. He would tell me “Tim just get out here and I got the rest covered” and that’s the way he was with his friends. I wish now that I had taken him up on his offer as I will truly miss my very dear friend and brother.
We were blessed with having our dear friend and brother William in our lives for 16 years. He came into our lives in a most unexpected way (selling us two Toyota cars), and our lives have never been the same. By the time we walked out of the dealership, our children were on the way to having a new uncle and all four of us began a special friendship that will live on in our hearts forever.
When our son Michael (currently living in Shanghai, China) found out that his beloved uncle’s health was deteriorating, he wrote the following letter. With his permission, we now share it with William’s extended family:
April 2, 2015
Hey Unc! I cried when I heard about how much pain you were in. I’ve been trying to contact you and I hope this reaches you so you know how much I truly, deeply love and respect you. You are a strong, brave, amazing man who has led me through life as any good father would. I will carry your teaching and wisdom with me through my life and pass it along to those I feel need it. Your love has helped me grow into a strong, intelligent and wise adult. I love you so much.
I know it is hard for you currently and I wish I was there for you physically but I know you carry me in your heart as I do you, so we will never be apart. I will search through thousands of vessels and a thousand lifetimes until we meet so I may hold you again, and tell you I love you with all my heart, spirit and soul.
I have always called you Unc but in my heart you have always been like a father to me. I celebrate your life and carry on your spirit with all its vigor and passion that made life so wonderful. I feel I cannot tell you enough times how much I love you. I am with you my great amazing advisor and mentor. And I admire your bravery as you prepare for your next great adventure. We will meet again in this lifetime or the next. I love you.
Your scared brave lion. I love you I love you I love you!
I met William in 1984 as I passed him entering a nightclub of which he was the bouncer. It’s been many years and I have so many stories and memories, but I’m going to share one that is dear to my heart.
It was 1986 — it was coming up to my 30th birthday. Turning 30 felt like a big deal to me. I remember thinking, “I’m going to finally be a woman.” At 29th, wasn’t I already a woman? I had a 9-year old son. Yes, I was, but turning 30 was still a big and special deal to me.
William took me to dinner to celebrate. Hands down, my 30th birthday celebration was my best birthday ever. We went to Greens Restaurant in San Francisco, had a delicious meal, and great conversation. (When could someone ever be with William and not have a great conversation?!) The meal and company to celebrate my birthday was enough, but he gave me a gift that night that I have treasured ever since. The gift he gave me was a framed Picasso reproduction titled, “Mother and Child.” William “got me.” He understood me. He saw me. I was mom. A single mom. I was mom through and through. William could see that. He paid attention to my conversations, my worries, my joys, my concerns. He had paid attention to it all, and his understanding was enveloped in his gift of the portrait of a mother and her child. That’s William! Always paying attention, always caring, always loving, thoughtful, kind, generous, a good listener, found beauty in everything, …and so much more.
He watched that little 9 year old boy turn into a man, graduate from college, get married, have children, and watched me as a grandmother. He often commented about my role as a grandmother and he was so excited to become a “granddaddy.”
Sadly, we hadn’t seen each other in a while. I wish I had. I will truly miss my dear friend…I already do. Rest on, William. You will be in my heart and memories forever. I love you.
William was a shining presence with a big heart and even bigger smile. The love he had for the people around him was so clear and true. I’m honored to have met him and know that he has touched so many in the short time he was on earth. You will be missed. With sadness and love, Leslie
Shocked and saddened to hear of William’s transition. I hadn’t seen him in many years, but his smile was always a burst of sunshine! God speed, kind sir.
I met William at Voice One. We became fast friends. He called me Smiley and always had words of love, encouragement and support for me. He came many times to see my band play. I remember him smiling often. I will miss you, Uncle William!
It feels as if I have known the entire family for most of my life. I know the brother, Freddie, sister-in-law, Bobbi, and both their children. The deceased had to have been a great person because of the goodness that I have grown to know and love over the many years in them. May God continue to bless you All and be encouraged to know now that he is finally Safe In His Arms. Psalms 23
I met William at Washington University. We re-connected in San Francisco and enjoyed some incredible times together. We shared a love for music and football and truth. He always made me feel like a special and treasured friend. I miss him and send my sincere condolences to his family, to Valerie and to all who had the pleasure of knowing this giant among men. Peace.
Like Rossana, I met William at Voice One. He was a great reader of people – he could quickly see right through to their very essence.
We weren’t close friends but he was such a thoughtful and generous person. I felt that and now I’m seeing it from these other comments. When my daughter was born, he delivered a package of baby clothes. A few months later, another package appeared at our front door with more lovely clothes. As he lived just a few blocks from me, I’d often see him driving in the neighborhood or playing tennis in Central Park. We’d always have a chat and he always asked about my daughter.
I bet he’s up there watching his beloved Warriors and cheering them on from the front row. Even though he will see the games, I’m sad he won’t be here with us to celebrate.
See you again someday, big guy 🙂