Billy Lim

Billy Lim Lost his battle with cancer on April 10, 2010. He was born on June 11, 1958 in Canton, China as the youngest of five children of Ying Yee Lim. The family emigrated to America and settled in Oakland in 1966. Billy's trip to Hong Kong in his early childhood created a special bond with his mother. Days later, they were united with her mother in Hong Kong. In Oakland, Billy attended Franklin Elementary School, Westlake Jr. High, Oakland High, and College of Alameda. In his free time as an energetic, carefree youngster, he spent many evenings playing basketball with his pals at Lincoln Playground. It was during this time when he cemented his life-long friendship with Dave Chin, who eventually became like a brother to him. His energy, charm and intelligence came to the attention of an Oakland attorney, Joe Morozumi, who offered to take him in, and who acted as a mentor and benefactor for a time. He worked briefly as a waiter at the Marabou restaurant atop the Kaiser Building in Oakland and graduated to catering jobs in the Napa Valley. There he developed a knowledge of - and taste - for fine wines, of which he was very proud. Softball, bike riding and snow skiing became lifelong pursuits, and he truly relished "all out" ski weeks each year with Dave Chin and a small group of friends. In 1986, Billy became a driver for the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper, where he worked until his retirement in 2009. He was versatile, working both home delivery service and single copy sales. He was a hard working and responsible employee, who seldom missed a day of work, who took his job seriously, and whose work ethics earned him praise from his supervisors and respect from his coworkers. Billy met and fell in love with Joan Pon in 1995. They married a year-and-a-half later. Their daughter Jacqueline was born in 1997 and their son Brandon in 2002. Billy was a loving husband and caring father, who cherished his family and provided for them well. He is survived by his beloved family and by his mother and four syblings, Wayne, Mimi, Elaine and Karin.