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William Elmer Bicker

1940 - 2016

William Elmer Bicker obituary, 1940-2016, Los Angeles, CA

William Bicker Obituary

February 17, 1940 - October 8, 2016 William Elmer (Bill) Bicker died peacefully on Saturday, October 8, 2016 with family present. Bill was born February 17th, 1940 in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. He graduated from Mayfield High School in 1958 where he was class president, captain of the basketball team and captain of the football team. He received a B.A. in political science from Case Western Reserve University in 1962 and went on to complete his doctorate in political science at Indiana University. He married his high school sweetheart Gail (nee Williamson) in 1960. In 1966, they moved with their three young children to northern California where Bill had the opportunity to teach political science at the University of California Berkeley during a very turbulent time in the school and country's history. Bill enjoyed politics and was involved in several national, state and local campaigns during this time. After leaving Cal in the late 70's, Bill was hired by Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO- Solar) to lobby Congress and the California Legislature for tax credits to support the early growth of America's solar energy industry. After leaving ARCO-Solar, Bill later served as Transportation Advisor to then Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley. During his work for Mayor Bradley, Bill helped establish a traffic mitigation plan for the 1984 Olympics which was heralded by locals and visitors as a major success. In 2006 Bill received a heart transplant at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, and, up until his recent death from pancreatic cancer, Bill was proudly one of the program's longest living recipients. At 6'4', Bill enjoyed frequent comparisons to George Hamilton and Alan Alda. His Midwestern roots always on display, Bill had a kind and thoughtful nature. He was quick to encourage his children that there was no bar too high. He enjoyed spending time with his long-time companion Nancy Braden-Parker, and was an animal lover to the end. Bill is survived by his three children William Elmer Bicker Jr. and his wife Elena, Lisa Bicker Martin and her husband Jeff, and Gwyn Bicker Hime and her husband Rex. He left behind four beautiful grandchildren Rex, Reagan, Roman and Jane. He is also survived by two loving sisters Lucia Strater (Ray) and Gail Rye (Richard), their loving children and several other loving relatives. An Observance of Bill's life will be held on November 23rd in La Jolla, California.

Published by Los Angeles Times from Oct. 18 to Oct. 23, 2016.
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6 Entries

Bill actually joined the staff and the late-Deputy Mayor and Chief of Staff Mike Gage in 1987 shortly after I did. We talked frequently and I wish both of them had stopped smoking. I didn't realize this was being memorialized but accept my condolences; his background and list of accomplishments are impressive.

Peter Rudolph

Work

April 29, 2022

Valenda Newell

January 21, 2017

This is a sad time for our family, but not for Bill, he is free. We are celebrating his life, and his life was full of reasons to celebrate, so many good memories of Bill.... bringing his family cross country to Ohio to visit us and see the country. I think he deceided to fly home. It was fun for all of us.
William Elmer Bicker was born when I was 7, and my heart was gone to him forever. Our protective Mother allowed me to walk Bill around our Cleveland neighborhood in a stroller when he was about a year and a half the strollers were not so confusing then. We both loved it he smiled at everyone. That was a proud and happy time. Now he must have been two when he got out of the stroller....After that I could never catch Bill..... never again that is where he learned to go so fast for all those sports he enjoyed.
My little brother was a fast mover and shaker.
My memory of him is always of a great big, strong, handsome, very handsome man full of great ideas Just last year he spent a lot of time on the phone with my Son and I, sharing ideas about my husbands health problems, I appreaciate that time he gave and his ideas.
Bill was a loving father, grandfather, companion, brother, and brother in law.
He raised three very successful, loving, caring children. Thanks kids for taking such good care of your Dad. Thanks Nancy for your companionship for so many years.
I know that last thing Bill wanted was to be taken care of. You all did it Sad Job
My sadness is that I cannot be with you at this time. Would love to hug you all
As we celebrate Bills life, each in his own way, with our own memories, may we find comfort in the memories of his life

Lucia Strater

October 29, 2016

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. May the hope of everlasting life sustain and comfort you during this difficult time. (John 17:3)

Carla

October 24, 2016

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

E,S

October 24, 2016

Bill & Elena,

We are so sorry for your loss. It is a difficult time for sure. Will write more as week progresses.

With deep sorrow,

Bruce and Denise Johnson

October 22, 2016

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