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Bill Papalexis Obituary

Bill A. Papalexis Funeral Services have been rescheduled for Monday February 2, 2015 at 11AM at St. Sophia Cathedral, LA. Interment at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.

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Published by Los Angeles Times on Feb. 1, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Bill Papalexis

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Diana Jacobs

January 18, 2024

We stayed in the Beachwood Canyon because of Bill´s market. Such a kind helpful man. He is missed.

Brian Waddick

June 28, 2021

I was just a little kid when I lived up on Belden Drive. I loved the drug store ( cafe now) Bill and his family made the market and the cafe one of the memories of a kinder gentler time. God bless him.

Ken Church

February 23, 2015

Dear Vergie and family,
I will always remember when coming into teh market I'd look to my right and most often there would be Bill sorting the vegetables and polishing the fruit. Sometimes when I was leaving, Bill will come up and say something like" You like Pinot Noir?" and hand me a bottle. "take this home and tell me if you like it".
These are memories which I will have forever. Thank you, and may God Blees you Vergie.
Ken

Jean Quinn

February 8, 2015

FOR MANY YEARS, Bill Papalexis was the face, the Icon of the magical Beachwood Village. Love and thanks to the family for the beautiful service at the magnificent St. Sophia.

Nina Van Tassell

February 8, 2015

Loved by all the community that knew him, including his employees, whom he treated extremely well. We will all miss him . God bess a brand new angel.

Barb Page

February 8, 2015

We will always remember Bill's warm smile, kind eyes and overall good vibe. We will keep Alex and his beautiful family in our thoughts and prayers. Barbara and Benedicte

Martin Smith

February 8, 2015

It was a real pleasure knowing you Bill... I loved our chats...

Louisa Velis

February 4, 2015

Sending you all love and prayers through this difficult time. Bill was such an amazing father and friend to so many. All my love to you Virgie and the family.

Chris and Karin Schwab

February 3, 2015

We first met Bill after we moved to Beachwood Canyon in early 1972 and became regulars at his market. Bill was a true gentleman, with a warm smile and caring manner. He was the reason why we stayed loyal to the market for all these years. He is not really gone because he will remain in our hearts. Our warmest condolences to Vergie and Alex.
Chris and Karin Schwab

Diana Jacobs

February 3, 2015

Bill was part of what made Beachwood Canyon special. When my husband and I first moved here in 1975 we lived off pennies. Bill let us open an account and never made us feel bad if we were a few days off due date. When we found our way and began looking for a house, my husband said, kit had to be in Beachwood, because he would shop anywhere else. He was serious. Bill filled all of your culinary needs. They delivered to your home!!! He would ask about my children, if I was well. He will be missed by my family and remembered with great thoughts.

The boys in 2007, the year we left Beachwood Canyon.

Prudence Baird

February 2, 2015

Bill is a beloved and memorable fixture of my boys' childhood memories formed during the 15 years we lived in Beachwood Canyon. Bill, always busy in his brown apron and with a pencil tucked behind his ear, would stop to admire my boys as babies and began to have conversations with them as soon as they grew old enough. "Isn't it remarkable how fast they grow up?" he once asked me when they were pre-teens. Bill was an old-fashioned gentlemanly neighborhood merchant--one who took care of both his employees and the community. He cared deeply about every aspect of his store, from the immaculate deli, to the well-stocked butcher counter, to the way the produce was displayed. Entering Beachwood Market, or as we called it, "Bill's Market," was to step into a kinder and more chivalrous past. I remember Bill holding out a Braeburn apple to me once after he had carefully polished it with a small towel. "Look at that," he said. "This is the most underrated apple. It's so crisp and sweet; I don't know why people don't buy them more often." To this day, when I see Braeburn apples, I always choose them over the others and think of Bill and how he was unafraid to share his thoughts, to let us know who he was and where he stood on things as small as an apple or as big as family. Even after he suffered his own unbearable losses, he returned to his store, a place he made into a safe, comfortable refuge from a city that has grown too big, too impersonal and too artificial. Bill's Market was authentic; I feel so fortunate that my boys, who arrived there by red Radio Flyer, by trikes, scooters, bikes and eventually skateboards, knew what it was like to have a genuine neighborhood store with a proprietor who knew their names, who greeted them with a smile and sent them off with a pat on the shoulder. Safe travels, Bill, and our love to Alex and the rest of your family.

Pat Radomski

February 1, 2015

I was very sad to hear of Bill's passing. He and my late husband, Eddie, had been best friends since the 4th grade in Hollywood. I hope my dear friend Vergie and I will always stay connected.

David Rich

January 31, 2015

Condolences to the family of Bill Papalexis. A kind and warm-hearted man and a wonderful merchant whom we shall remember always.

Sheri Drobnick

January 30, 2015

" I will never forget Bill's kind spirit and his recognition of all of his customers. He was a very generous soul when he knew you were
Going through tough times."
Rest in peace my friend

Howard Metcalfe

January 30, 2015

Bill was Hollywoodland in so many ways. He was a good friend, not only to me but to all those who visited the market. He is sorely missed, and is well remembered by me, my sons and Barbara.

Berington Van Campen

January 28, 2015

Though I've not lived in Beachwood Canyon for many years, I think back to the market and the coffee shop with incredible fondness, and vow to go back to revisit. Bill was the face of that market, always with a friendly greeting, a kind word, or even advice on a product. He will be greatly missed by the entire Beachwood community, and by all who knew him everywhere. Godspeed, Bill.

Elaine Sekerman

January 27, 2015

From the time I moved to Beachwood Canyon in 1973 I could always count on Bill being at the market, and seeing him there everyday made everythingi right with the world. He always spoke to me and asked how my business was doing, and always had a smile for me. No matter how old I become or where I live, Bill and the Beachwood Market will always be part of my memories. My thoughts and prayers are with Virgie, Alex and the entire Papalexis family at this time.

Barbara Snowberger

January 27, 2015

Bill was a one-of-a-kind storekeeper. If he had it, he'd find it for you. If he didn't, he'd figure out how to get it for you. He always asked how I was, how was my mother (He loved to hear her play Blues & Jazz), and how were my cats... He was kind, charming, and always had a smile on his face. Even in retirement, he'd come in with Vergie and either talk with old friends or help bag groceries. I truly loved this man for his generosity and his willingness to always go the extra mile. He is missed, and will always be so.

Jennifer Mayo

January 26, 2015

Such a kind and gentle man. He and his family made Beachwood Canyon a true neighborhood. Sending love, light and peace to you and your family??

January 26, 2015

He was a great listener and wanted to know what you were doing or where you were traveling. He truly cared about his customers that he considered friends. We will miss him a lot.
Kris Sullivan, Beachwood Canyon

Chris Wood

January 26, 2015

Rest in peace Bill,the man always treated all of us so fairly,giving us all the opportunity to achieve our personal goals.I will miss him and the days we all shared in the Village

Lynn Shepodd

January 26, 2015

What a kind and generous man! Our neighborhood would not have been the same.

Allison Brooker

January 26, 2015

Thank you for all you have given to our neighborhood. Our memory of you will warm our hearts always Bill. We send love and peace out to your family.

ERIC Pinczower

January 26, 2015

my first boss - as a box boy in the early 70's - a nice man and friend of my father. He was a great guy....

Lucy GOnzalez

January 26, 2015

A kind and generous man, he always had time to listen and a smile on his face. He is missed.

January 26, 2015

Bill, a life long friend and wonderful employer for many years. I will never forget you. Rest in peace. Steve " Stavros " Goldman

Tina St Clair

January 26, 2015

Bless you! May you feel the Love that you so beautifully prevailed through your sincere generosity... Kindness and Christendom . Truly a Divine place.. Your beloved Beachwood Market, sending embraces and comfort to your Family and all of those whom you touched with your Healing Agape! Peace ! Heaven has a new Star!

Fran Reichenbach

January 25, 2015

His spirit lives in all our memories. He cared for my children when they wandered into the market after school. He was a strong community supporter and enjoyed all the stories my husband would tell about times with old jazz artists. He was an amazing listener and a generous soul! We miss you already, Bill!

Alan Brackett

January 25, 2015

A most wonderful person anyone could wish for in life, Bill always had a smile and wanted to know how things were in you and your family's lives. He always said he had aprons set aside for our identical twin boys and when they came of age he kept his word and gave them their first jobs at the Beachwood Market. His kindness and generousity when our boys were killed on Beachwood Drive years later was greatly appreciated by myself and my wife, Lizbeth. He will be missed so much by everyone who knew him. A lovely man that enjoyed life and friends and family. God bless him.

Showing 1 - 29 of 29 results

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