William Joseph (Bill) Agee, 79, a resident of Saint Helena, CA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 20, 2017, following a period of declining health.

Bill was born to Suzanne M. Agee and Harold J. Agee in 1938. He studied at Meridian High School, Boise Junior College, Stanford University and the University of Idaho. Subsequently, he earned his MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School. In 1979, Bill was featured in Time magazine's cover story titled "Faces of the Future" and was named Finance Magazine's "Financial Man of the Year" in 1976.

In his thirties, he was described as a wunderkind rising rapidly and serving in the top management of several Fortune 100 Companies. Agee served as CEO of two Fortune 100 companies, Bendix and Morrison Knudsen as well as on the boards of Equitable Life, Dow Jones, Bendix and Morrison Knudsen. In retirement, Bill was a business consultant, venture capitalist and chairman of the Agee Family Charitable Foundation.

Bill was a man of strong faith and was a devoted husband and father. He coached his childrens' sports teams, assisted in home schooling during their grade school years and found his greatest joy in his 35-year marriage to his best friend Mary. He loved watching sports and cheering on his favorite teams and entertaining friends at the Agee home in Napa Valley. His many friends and family will remember him for his sense of humor, storytelling and infectious laugh.

He is survived by his loving wife Mary Cunningham Agee and their two children, William Nolan Agee and Mary Alana Kurz and grandson, Braden Kurz as well as by children from his first marriage -- Robert William Agee, Suzanne Agee-Cain and Kathryn Gillis and their children. He is also survived by siblings Carolyn Hjort and Jacqueline Agee.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Helena Catholic Church at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to two charities close to William's heart: Collabria Care of Napa Valley and St. Helena Catholic School. Collabria Care is a life-affirming hospice program for which he and his wife, Mary, served as Honorary Co-Chairs in 2014. Donations can be sent to Collabria at 414 S Jefferson St, Napa, CA 94559. St. Helena Catholic School is a school that provides quality education to the children of the St. Helena area. Donations can be sent to 1255 Oak Avenue, St. Helena, CA. 94574.

The family wishes to express special thanks to the medical professionals, friends and advisors who served Bill so well over the years.

In describing her husband, Mary Cunningham Agee shared this tribute: "Beloved husband, loving father, family man and my best friend, Bill went home knowing he was loved unconditionally by everyone who was blessed to be part of his remarkable life. He passed away peacefully in the arms of our son, Will." She continued, "My husband was one of the greatest men I have ever known. It was an honor to be by his side until the end. He led an extraordinary life as a businessman, a father, and a husband. He will be deeply missed. I will honor his tremendous legacy through the remainder of my own life."

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

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Dec. 23 to Dec. 24, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for William Agee

13 Entries

Rev/Fr Protodeacon George Haloulakos

December 17, 2024

Bill was a great mentor whose profound wisdom enabled others to navigate through cycle of life events with integrity in God's Love. His friendship in Christ was a major touchstone that was a source of love, joy and encouragement. Seven years after falling asleep in the Lord, Bill's spiritual presence remains as strong as ever. Fair winds and following seas, Bill. May Light Eternal shine upon you now and forevermore.
Love and Blessings,
Rev/Fr Protodeacon & Mrs George Haloulakos

Rev/Fr Protodeacon George Haloulakos

December 18, 2023

The life of our dear friend, Bill Agee, exemplifies this fundamental truth found in Holy Scripture: God has placed eternity in our hearts and souls while making everything beautiful in its time. (Ecclesiastes 3:9-11). Bill successfully played the long game in this linear realm while achieving victory in personal, professional and spiritual terms. In the cathedral of my heart, a candle is lit in memory of Bill.
Love and Blessings,
Rev/Fr Protodeacon & Mrs George Haloulakos

Rev Protodeacon George Haloulakos

December 19, 2022

Bill was deeply spiritual yet practical. He was a great friend and wonderful mentor in both professional and personal terms. Bill taught me three very important life lessons: (1) When making career decisions, remember that money is what we obtain in exchange for the most precious resources we have -- our life energy and time; (2) Play to win instead of not to lose; and (3) Think strategically but execute tactically. I am forever grateful for Bill's wise counsel and generosity of spirit. May his memory be eternal.
Love and Blessings,
Rev Protodeacon & Mrs George Haloulakos

Rev Protodeacon George Haloulakos

December 17, 2021

Bill was a shining star in life and is now a shining star in Heaven. He is safe at home in the loving embrace of God. When someone you love and treasure becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure eternally in the heart, mind and soul. My precious memories of Bill are forever etched in my heart, mind and soul as his wise counsel continues to resonate with me. We loved every moment we shared with Bill and Mary-Elizabeth on the Monterey Peninsula and in the Napa Valley.
With Love and Blessings,
Rev Protodeacon & Mrs George Haloulakos

George Haloulakos

December 17, 2020

Bill was a transcendent leader in the world of Finance. He was able to visualize long range outcomes without having to engage in the oft tedious exercise of grinding out numbers via Lotus, Visicalc and Excel -- in which all too many Wall Street Analysts tried to force visionary CEOs into this rather limiting and linear world view. He was a man well ahead of his time at the right time because he foresaw events (e.g., consolidation of major industries such as Paper & Forest Products and Aerospace) and practices (e.g., using Return on Invested Capital as a decision metric) decades before it became either "common" knowledge or standard practice.

On a personal and spiritual level, Bill was deeply intuitive while offering wise counsel in the context of friendship. His mentorship and stalwart support is deeply woven into the fabric of my own personal history. Indeed, along with his beloved wife, Mary, he helped encourage me in answering my call to serve Christ and His Church, while at the same time helping me to be successful in my lay profession as a CFA Charterholder. For this I am eternally grateful. As Bill is now in the loving embrace of God, his spirit soars with the Holy Angels while living in our hearts. He was truly a Man For All Seasons. We pray that his memory be eternal.

Love and Blessings,
Rev Protodeacon & Mrs George Haloulakos

Mary & Bill Butler

March 8, 2018

So sorry to learn of Mr Agees passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his entire family. He was a great man whom I enjoyed knowing and working with at Bendix in Southfield, MI. Many wonderful memories. My husband and I were known as the Other Bill & Mary. Rest In Peace.

Mary Cunningham Agee

January 10, 2018

Our love is eternal... Your Spirit lives on in my memory and heart forever...

Mary Elizabeth Kenney

January 10, 2018

Dear Mary, Mary Alana, Rob, precious Braden and William Nolan Agee my special thoughts, treasured memories and daily prayers in deepest sympathy to you in the sad news of bills death. May he rest in peace. God bless.
In love, prayers, and gratitude.
Mary E 2

Dan Good

January 1, 2018

Deepest sympathy to the Agee family. I enjoyed my business relationship with Bill and have many good memories and stories to tell. He will be missed.

George Haloulakos

December 28, 2017

We send condolences and prayers for peace. Bill was a shining star professionally, personally and spiritually. He was a fine friend and great mentor. We pray that Bill's memory be eternal.

Love and Blessings,
Rev Protodeacon & Mrs George Haloulakos

Lauren Ackerman

December 27, 2017

I am so so sorry for your loss and I send you my love and prayers at this difficult time. He was a very special man...

Richard Sears

December 27, 2017

Our deepest condolences to you Mary and family on the loss of your husband and father. Prayers sent for peace.
Cousin Rick Sears and Michelle.

Dorothy Salmon

December 26, 2017

Darling Mary and family:

We send all of you love and light as you deal with Bill's loss. He was remarkable and so are the three of you who are his legacy and his loves.

Love, Dorothy and John

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