William Cavala

On November 1st we looked through our wedding album in honor of our 40th. There you were, so young and handsome, as Jack’s best man. I know you’re at peace, Bill, and as Jack wrote, I hope you’re with our wonderful son, your godson. Peace and light, dear friend.

Willymiss you everydayhope you are with your god son and name sake, Jack Williamyou were a special bud!squat

Bill and I went back a long ways; we first met at Berkeley in 1962. He was then a UC student, and a roommate of Bill Lockyer's, another dear friend who I first met in those wild days of bull sessions at Demo Headquarters on Ashby. I was still a student at Oakland High School, from which Bill had graduated a few years earlier.
In the years that followed, I never really thought of him as a "political strategist", and I wasn't part of his Sacramento world, but we stayed in close touch and I always regarded him as a brilliant kindred spirit for whom I felt a deep affection. I will always cherish the memory of our friendship and I will miss him.

Bill and I shared many a glass of wine and talked baseball at Posey's years ago. No one knew more about baseball lore than he did and I enjoyed those talks very much.Lew

Bill taught me well through two classes at Cal, served as the best man at our wedding, stood as godfather to our two children, and provided our son's middle name. Over 30 years, we shared so many great moments and fantastic bottles of wine. He and Jack had way too much fun in Glenden's RV at the Raider games. We miss him and send along our prayers to family, friends, and colleagues. What a loss to all of us.

His mentorship had a profound impact on my life, both personal and professional. After a hard day on a campaign, he offered me a glass of scotch. Liking it, I asked him what it was and he produced a dusty bottle from his college days. Woah, I said you didn't have to waste this on me. He chuckled, "Nothing but the best, Brian." I miss him greatly.

Now an even more strange political world without Bill in it. I'm still puzzling out some of his advice but know that he always made me smile.

I met Bill while working on Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada's campaign.
Honest politics will miss this gentleman with a passion. People in politics like him are few and far between.

Bill Cavala, the professor and the political guru, was a friend who taught me well. Even when I didn't see him, just knowing he was there made me feel safe as a Democrat in California. He will be missed.