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Bill Wolf Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Bill Wolf
Sponsored by AAA Productions..
Deva Gunjan Mereditb
February 2, 2018
Looking through old photo albums filled with 80's memories so dear to my heart. There, i spot a grainy photo of Bill and I. My first art teacher i call him. I wasnt but 8 or 9. I just saw it as time with my moms close friends. He was so generous with his talent and so patient. So encouraging and without boundaries. Russell would teach me structure with fruit, bowls and bowls of drawing fruit. B bill would whisper, change your idea of where the lines end.
Suzanne Lummis
October 26, 2015
I arrived at this website looking for the name "maria scatuccio," which is on a sticker on the bottom of a ceramic black and white high heel shoe I bought in the 80s, when such things were in many boutique shops. - Can't find 'em anymore, and mine's chipping and and crumbling it's so old. I was pleased to get a bit of news here on the ceramicist, and also to read about Bill Wolf. What a great guy he must've been, and what a rich life. I never met him, but thanks for keeping his memory alive.
Russell
February 6, 2012
It's the 4th anniversary of Bill's death. Here's a photo of a collage he did in Oaxaca. Well, one thing, he won't get old.
July 21, 2010
It amazes me that as I write this I have just purchased a flight to Oaxaca to see this last exhibit and honor his memory. RIP
Stephen
Russell Ellison
January 17, 2010
It's getting close to the 2nd anniversary of Bill's death. Gone but still here because in September 2010 there will be a show of his last art works at a Casa de la Ciudad in Oaxaca, Mexico. Also, his memoirs, his life story, can now be found at billwolf.org. They tell all about him. Too much, probably, but that was Bill.
Maria Butkus
May 29, 2009
I met Bill while I was doing a study abroad in Oaxaca. I took the assignment of doing my field research with Frente Comun. I had the opportunity of meeting Bill who was a wonderful human being. He cared so much for everyone who crossed his path and always had such a positive attitude. As a result of my work with Bill and Frente Comun, I decided to pursue a Masters degree in Public Health.
Bill not only touched my life but many others in a very positive way. He will be missed very much. Thank you for keeping this website!
Cary Norsworthy
November 28, 2008
I just ran across this website and was entertained by reading some of the memoirs...then saddened to read of Bill's passing earlier this year.
I was the woman who was running the SF AIDS Foundation's Food Bank that he refers to in his memoirs (it actually started in 1983). I remember those fundraisers that he did and I went to one of them.
It was people like Bill who made San Francisco an amazing place to live in--back in the days when SF was full of artists and generous, freethinking people. Wow, I miss those days.
I'm sorry to see that he's no longer with us, but it looks like he enjoyed his life to the fullest in a place that he loved. Thanks for keeping up this website in his honor.
billy king
October 26, 2008
Bill was a magnet for a wide variety of people..he always seemed to bring out the best in everyone. Like Fellini in his scope, and deMille in his execution, Bill rode the wave of liberation start to finish (and then some). He opened doors for so many. He led by example and by kind word. "Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries" and "Sunny Side of the Street" are just two of the songs I learned to sing loudly and off-key while rehearsing with Bill! Dbabdabadaba..said the monkey to the Chimp....to this day I feel like I'm still a member of Triple AAA!
What a life well lived, what great choices about how to spend your time. Bravo!
Paul Wright
September 17, 2008
Bill was a wonderful man and a great artist and activist. We only knew him a for short time just before he died. We miss him greatly.
Bill Wolf directing Rocket to Mars, his Super 8 spectacular.
Russell Ellison
June 10, 2008
In 1972, Bill wrote and directed the Super 8 spectacular, "Rocket to Mars." It will be shown at a celebration of Bill's life at the Bucheon Gallery in San Francisco on his birthday, June 20, 2008. Look at the photos for one of Bill on the cardboard set of Rocket to Mars.
Peter Fogel
April 21, 2008
In 1978, at the tender young age of 17, I landed in San Francisco at the corner of South Van Ness and 15th Street. Bill and Russell lived next door in a sunny flat decorated with lots of rich tones and leafy plants. I remember meeting Bill and being impressed with how warm and friendly he was. I also remember thinking “this guy is a true bohemian. He makes fabulous art. And he doesn’t seem to be very concerned with money or what it takes to make the world a more beautiful place. He just does it.” Bill was an amazing artist beyond compare and he made a big impression on that 17-year old (now 47-year old).
Bill in high school
April 18, 2008
Bill and Russell at the summit meeting of The Bermuda Think Tank
April 18, 2008
Bill in Oaxaca Collage
April 10, 2008
Bill in Oaxaca '95
April 10, 2008
11/07 Bill in his Oaxaca studio by Diana Ricci
April 9, 2008
Bill as hippy entrepreneur
April 8, 2008
Bill as MC for the Nickelettes at Mabuhay Gardens
April 8, 2008
Bill as businessman
April 8, 2008
Bill in Terminator mode
April 8, 2008
Joshua Raoul Brody
April 8, 2008
I will always be inspired by Bill's bravery - both to face seemingly insurmountable opposition and to engage in incalculable silliness; his boundless imagination; his tireless energy; his indefatigable good humor and humanity. All that, and he also made great art, great politics, great friends, great parties, and great gifts to the world and its people. And I also whole-heartedly endorse what Marilyn and Maria said: "a pivotal force in bringing people together to work collectively for folly and important causes". Here's a toast to someone who blurred and straddled and ignored the line between folly and importance.
Marilyn Zoller Koral
April 6, 2008
Bill was a remarkable person, truly one of a kind. I put this together with Maria’s help after Russell called with the news of his passing. Thought I would include it here.
Bill Wolf, a pivotal force in bringing people together to work collectively for folly and important causes, died on Wednesday Feb 6th in Oaxaca, Mexico. He worked to organize, fundraise and be the spokesperson for others of smaller voice. Bill’s generosity of spirit, his eager friendship, caring, support and love for those around him was endless. He was an artist extraordinaire: of pencil, paint, cardboard, computer, mixed and multi media. He was a mentor and teacher. His many talents included set designer, costumer, writer, archivist, political activist, installation artist, and art event organizer.
Bill Wolf was born and grew up in Sangar, California. He began his artistic career in Seattle, Washington in the 60’s doing street theatre, and moved to San Francisco with his partner Russell Ellison in 1971 to continue to work in the arts. He worked with The Nickelettes and many other local performers. He helped stage events for Supervisor Tom Ammiano in his run for School Board. Bill also was the recipient of an Emmy award in set design for his work on the local children’s TV show, Buster and Me.
Bill formed AAA Productions, producing large scale tableaux, the movie Rocket to Mars, and Aimee, a musical based on the life of Aimee Semple McPhearson. He fought relentlessly in the battle against AIDS both in San Francisco and his adopted home Oaxaca. He designed and built floats for the AIDS Emergency Fund. His Hug a Hunk booth was a hit; and honorary chairperson Sharon McKnight’s Big Dress for the Gay Pride Parade made the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle. He created billboard art and was responsible for a great many public art projects in San Francisco including the beautiful Frida Kahlo mural on the exterior wall of his Mission District studio. He produced Russell Ellison’s Vallejo Garage, and his own Salute to the Seventies as well as Maria Manhattan’s The Box Lunch in San Francisco and New York, – all installation projects. His largest conceptual piece was the Bermuda Think Tank – a model for future living.
In 1992, Bill and Russell moved to Oaxaca, Mexico, where Bill continued to combine his political activism with his art. His first campaign was wheelchair accessible sidewalk corners, which resulted in legislation. He organized the Frente Comun Contra El SIDA, the Common Front Against AIDS. He created AIDS education materials and had them translated into 18 native languages to reach the pueblas surrounding Oaxaca. He ran a subsidized condom shop in a working class part of town. He designed posters and organized art shows including one in San Francisco to raise funds for the work in Oaxaca. Through repressive political times, Bill continued his work. His latest work was on his own website, creating his life’s chronicle at: http://www.frentecomunoaxaca.org.
Bill leaves behind his partner of 39 years, Russell Ellison, his family, and the many, many others who also loved him. Though his light has gone out, his spark remains in all those he touched. How fortunate for us.
from: http://frentecomunoaxaca.org/01.htm date unknown
April 2, 2008
sk dunn
April 2, 2008
thanks to bill wolf, who spent his life changing the world for us and making it ever more beautiful. i don't know how we'll carry on without you bill, but i guess it's like beckett said: "i can't go on. . .i'll go on."
Bill Wolf in a photo from the 1980s.
Russell Ellison
April 2, 2008
After Bill died a friend in Oaxaca, Michele Gibbs, wrote the following:
"Bill Wolf was an artist to the bone. His spirit radiated menschkeit, alegria, luz & piz-azz. His concerns were broad and his commitments deep. His presence always made a positive difference. Through the work of the Frente Comun Contra SIDA, he saved lives. Bill was cool. Of his life we can say bien hecho! -- well done! He was with us until the last possible moment, presente y en frente -- front and present; he is with us still.”
In his last months, he put his history on his website, frentecomunoaxaca.org. Take a look.
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