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Neptune Society - Chico

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Bill Toliver Obituary

Bill Toliver 1937 - 2011 Bill Toliver died peacefully in the home he loved, surrounded by family, on February 5, 2011, in Chico California. Poet, jazz musician, athlete, actor, mortician, medical examiner, motorcycle rider, artist, father, husband, brother, son, lover of life and of all mankind - his memory will reside forever in the lives of those he touched. His wife Genevieve, daughter Dominique, brothers Greg, Jim, Joe, Rob and Steve, and their families, and sisters Margaret, Nina, Shari and Joyce, and their families survive Bill. Family was Bill's greatest joy in life and he loved us to the fullest extent. And now he soars with the eagles where he yearned to be - and we rejoice with him. There will be a memorial service at Bill's home in the spring. Donations may be made to the Delancey Street Foundation, San Francisco, or the Enloe Cancer Center, Chico. Services entrusted to the Neptune Society of No. Ca - Chico Branch

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Feb. 17 to Feb. 20, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Bill Toliver

Not sure what to say?





Justin Smith

March 29, 2011

Bill Toliver every thing these fine people have said is true. You are one of a kind. You will never be forgotten.

Mark Muzzall

March 22, 2011

It was very sad news to hear of Bill's passing. I got to know Bill threw my work as a Fed Ex courier. He was one of the nicest men I have met in my life. When ever I showed up at his house he was always quick to offer a water or a gatorade. As time past we got to know one another and exchange stories, his work as a Medical examiner and my father's work as a coroner.
He loved his family, and he loved his daughter,Dominique; of whom he spoke of often, and he loved music. I will miss Bill, and I will miss his stories.
I am grateful for having met him, and lessened by his loss. Every time I go by his road or go down it, I will think of him.

March 2, 2011

I am so sorry I have not been in touch. I send my condolences and prayers to Billy's family.
My name is Zoe Ann. I have known the Toliver family since we were kids.
Nina (Tootsie) lived with my family in St. Paul Minn. In fact Billy, Donald and Mickey stayed with us for a short while. I hope you find peace in your loss. Tootsie if you see this please get in touch with me. Love to all.

February 27, 2011

I just heard the sad news of one of the nicest people I have met in my live, Bill Toliver. I would have never made the journey that I made to what I am now. What a wonderful person he was, they just don't make them like him anymore. To his family and his wife my thoughts are with you. Jack and Kathi Behan/New Mexico

Felipe Fernandez

February 27, 2011

I had the opportunity to work with Bill at the Medical Examiner's Office in San Francisco. What a wonderful, selfless man as reflected in many of the Guest Book entries. Thank you Bill for giving me valuable life tools and for showing me the way around this beautiful city.
May his family find peace at this difficult time.

Many Blessings to the Toliver family.

February 25, 2011

I am sorry to learn that Billy has passed on. I met him through his brother, Jim, at the DSF in the early 1970's. I am praying that the family will find peace during this difficult time.
Marjorie Walsh-Scott

Dianne Seeber

February 22, 2011

I know he brought so much joy to Genevieve and certainly she, Dominique and the rest of the family will cherish many fond memories.

February 22, 2011

When I knew Bill, everyone called him "Billy." I'll never, ever forget him. He had just gotten out of the Armed Services. He taught me many things - especially how to do the twist! We had a lot of good times together in the "olden days." Very sorry to hear of his death.

Sue Jornlin Seel, Minnetonka, Minnesota

Justin Fawsitt

February 21, 2011

Bill was a beautiful and soulful man. It was my privilege to have known him. He had many wonderful stories to relate, like the one about meeting John Coltrane. Bill did me the honor of playing drums on a CD of some of my songs. My sincere condolences go out to his lovely family.

Carol Mendell Hughes

February 20, 2011

Bill Toliver was a special human being. His warmth, enthusiasm, and caring were genuine, affecting all who met him. I remember morning meetings at Delancey St., with Billy luring hundreds of groggy residents to join him in loud and rousing verses of "oh, What a Beautiful Morning" or Zippity-
do-Dah". May the love and good-will he generated continue on through each of us who had the great fortune to know him. My love and gratitude go out to Genevieve, who found me after 20 years and let me know. Blessings to Dominique and the Toliver family.

Sheila Bruce

February 20, 2011

I met Bill in the mid-sixties when he was a jazz group playing at a small club on Haight St., greatly talented, super-nice, fun and hilarious. Prayers go out to the family left behind, so sorry for your loss.

Rosie Robinson

February 20, 2011

What a surprise to see Bill's obit. My mother, Daisy Lucas, helped raise Bill, his brothers Jimmy, Donald and Mickey and their sister Nina. I've often thought about all of them and my husband, Bill, and I have wondered where they all are now.

We are very sorry for your loss.

Rosie(Clemons)Robinson

Brian Turner

February 20, 2011

May God Bless you.

Neptune Society of Northern California

February 19, 2011

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

Albert Alioto

February 18, 2011

I knew Bill thirty years ago. Each day I met him was a little
brighter than any day that I didn't. What a wonderful man. The world was a better place because he was a part of it.

Ellen Press

February 17, 2011

February 17, 2011
It's hard to believe that Bill is no longer with us. If he had only blessed us with his warmth, it would have been sufficient (dayenu) If he had only uplifted us with his kind spirit, dayenu. If he had only cared deeply about others, dayenu. If he had only been a loving family man: husband and father, brother and son, it would have been sufficient-dayenu. G-d bless you Bill, may you rest in peace. Can I get a Dayenu y'all?

Bobbie Becker

February 17, 2011

Bill Toliver to me is Seder at DSF, a Jewish Southern Baptist version with, "can I get an Amen" and the " congregation shouting "Dayenu'. What an amazing man who could take a religious holiday and draw us all in. There is not a person in the world who witnessed it who will ever forget him. My regards to the Toliver family. Safe trip wonderful man.

Barbara Gervasio

February 17, 2011

I am deeply sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I remember Bill from DSF in the 70's and 80's. He was a great inspiration. My thoughts and prayers are with the Toliver family.

Showing 1 - 18 of 18 results

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Neptune Society - Chico

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