William Charles Wilka

WILLIAM C. WILKA

(1949 - 2025)

Bill was born on December 11, 1949 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Bill and Kathleen Wilka. He grew up in Sioux Falls and was the oldest of 12 children. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1972 and from Georgetown University Law School in 1975.

He worked as counsel for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington, D.C. for two years and then spent the 1977-78 year in Singapore on a Luce Fellowship, teaching law at the University of Singapore. He went on to have a successful legal career, working at several law firms in the San Francisco Bay Area, first in Palo Alto and then San Francisco. He retired from the practice of law at the end of 2024.

Bill married Theresa in 1977 and they spent 48 wonderful years together. They first traveled to Singapore for a year and then returned to the Bay Area, where Theresa attended law school. They lived in Palo Alto and San Francisco, each for several years, and then made their home in Marin County, where they lived for 40 years. They raised three wonderful children, Matthew, Christine and Catherine. Matthew and his wife, Jennifer, have two children, Emma and Evan, who were a tremendous source of joy to Bill.

Bill dearly loved his family and was a great Dad, coaching numerous sports teams and rarely missing a game, performance or concert. Bill traveled with his family to many countries and loved good food, good wine and good company. He had numerous friends and always made time to give help and advice. He cared deeply about his faith, social justice and other causes and was an active member of St. Sebastian's parish for 40 years. He had a wide-ranging intellect, read extensively, and particularly loved Greek drama and poetry of all kinds.

Bill died unexpectantly on August 16, 2025 after a short illness. He is survived by his wife Theresa, his children Matthew, Christine and Catherine, his daughter-in-law Jennifer, his daughter's partner, John, his grandchildren Emma and Evan, his 11 siblings and their spouses, numerous nieces and nephews, and many good friends. He will be sorely missed by everyone whose lives he touched.