William Palmer

William Joseph Palmer Born September 3, 1934 in Lansing Michigan, the only child of Joseph Flammin Lacchia and Henrietta Yagerman, passed away peacefully at home, on Saturday, July 9th. As a young boy Bill spent many happy summers with his beloved grandparents Will and Flo and his dog Smokey in Alvinston, Ontario. He attended University of Michigan leaving after a year to spend 6 years as a naval aviator patrolling the coast of China towards the end of the Korean War. He resumed his education graduating with a Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Berkeley in 1963. Bill entered into public accounting accumulating over 40 years of experience and devoting the majority of his career to the engineering/construction industry. From 1963 to 1980, he was the managing partner with Coopers Lybrand and Chairman of their worldwide Construction Industry Division. As the partner in charge of the audit of Bechtel Corporation, he consulted on behalf of Bechtel's projects throughout the world: s nuclear generating facilities, waster water treatment plants, pipelines, refineries, and rapid transit as well as land development projects. In 1980 he joined the San Francisco office of the International firm of Ernst and Young as Chairman of their National Construction Industry Group. In that role he coordinated his firm's services to over 1,000 construction companies. Due to his reputation and expertise in the areas of construction and contract accounting, he frequently testified as an expert witness in long term contract disputes and related litigation. He authored /co-authored 5 books on construction litigation and financial management which he always said "If you're having trouble falling asleep, just pick up one of my books". He retired in 1993 and joined the faculty of Hass Graduate School of Business. He was an old fashioned man. He loved deeply but not openly. He was a man of integrity and honesty, a private man who demanded much from himself and from those he loved. He was famous for his Chasen's chili, he owned every single Dave Brubeck piece of music ever published, he reveled in telling jokes, was a voracious reader, an avid pipe smoker, and a supreme lover of all animals .His happiest times were at Lake Tahoe on his wooden boat "Vivace". He loved his children deeply and as a father wanted to give them only the best he possibly could. Because he traveled the world as Bechtel's outside CFO, he desired only the comforts of home upon retirement. He lived the life he loved and loved the life he lived. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Kathleen, his children Bill Jr., daughters Kathryn De George, Leslie Meyer ( husband Joe) Emily Browne (husband Christopher), stepchildren, Blair Manwell (wife Emily), Lindsey Melchor (husband Lane), 11 grandchildren, Willie , Julia and Jack Palmer, Elizabeth DeGeorge, J.P, Georgia, Charlie, and Audrey Meyer, Ellie and Weston Browne and Drake Manwell. Services will be held Tuesday, July 19, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Assumption Church, 5057 Cottage Way, Carmichael. Reception will immediately follow. His presence will be felt and missed by all his family.