William John Kane III

1943 - 2020

William John Kane III
July 18, 1943 - December 12, 2020
William (Bill) John Kane, III was born in Santa Rosa on July 18, 1943. He attended St. Rose School before graduating from Santa Rosa High in 1961. It was during this time he met Diane Smith. Upon graduating, Bill joined the US Marine Corps Reserves. A year later at age 19 he wedded Diane in a marriage that would last 56 years.
In 1969 Bill was hired by Chief Dutch Flohr at the Santa Rosa Police Department and embarked on what became a long and distinguished career in law enforcement. He quickly advanced to the rank of Detective, getting assigned as an undercover officer in the then newly-formed Sonoma County Narcotics Task Force where the legend of "Creep" was born. In 1979 a duty-related injury led him to retire from the SRPD.
Shortly after Bill's retirement, he and Diane moved the family to Bend, Oregon to open a restaurant (The Donut Deli). Missing Santa Rosa, Bill returned the family home within a year. In 1981 he began a new career at the Sonoma County Probation Department, where he soon again found his way back onto the Sonoma County Narcotics task force. He retired from the Probation Department in 2004.
While raising three kids with Diane, Bill combined his love of trucks, camping, and boats to create amazing summertime vacations that involved houseboats, lake houses, water skiing and jet skiing on Shasta, Trinity, Oroville, Eagle Lakes.
Growing up, Bill was a car enthusiast which he carried with him throughout. He enjoyed watching NASCAR as well as being a loyal 49er and Giants fan. Bill was known for his excellent cooking and could always be found in the kitchen or the grill where he loved to cook for family.
When Diane was diagnosed with cancer, Bill faithfully took care of her until her passing last July. Unfortunately, shortly after Diane's death, Bill was diagnosed with cancer. And like always, he fought courageously and battled until the end.
Bill was proceeded in death by his parents William and Stella, his sister Carol and his brother Tim. He is survived by his children Scott (Rebecca) , Robert (Anne-Marie), and daughter Nicole Moritz (Steve), as well as his grandchildren William, Aidan, Bella, and Lexi. He is also survive by his sister Marilyn Ward.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions the family plans to hold a memorial at a later date.