William Bentley

William Henry Bentley The beloved William Henry Bentley, longtime Mill Valley resident, passed away peacefully in his home on September 18th, 2011. Bill was born in Detroit, MI on October 15th, 1936 to William and Jessie Bentley. He moved to Watsonville, CA when he was 7 years old with his parents and older sister Nancy. Bill earned his B.S. in Accounting in 1956 at the age of twenty from San Jose State and went to work with Arthur Andersen & Co. In 1959, Bill earned his MBA from the Hass School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley and continued his career with Arthur Andersen where he specialized as a tax partner in the San Francisco office. He practiced his profession with honesty, integrity, and fairness always valuing colleagues and clients interests. In 1964, Bill made one of the smartest decisions of his life and married Beverlee Andrecheck from Toronto, Canada and started a family. Despite his demanding professional career, Bill always maintained a striking life balance outside of the office pursuing his passions for the arts, nature and most of all his family. He was a sculptor, a musician, a master gardener, a beekeeper, a marathon runner, a wildflower macrophotographer, a mountain biker, a backpacker, and many others. He also found time to contribute to the community with his insights and leadership by joining the Tamalpais Union High School District Board of Trustees and as President of the University Club of San Francisco. Through all these pursuits, he constantly displayed his intense commitment to improve himself and the world around him. His commitment to get the most out of life was never more tested or confirmed than when he suffered a high spinal cord injury which rendered him quadriplegic in 1994 shortly after his retirement from Arthur Andersen. After making a long recovery and rehabilitation, Bill, with the tireless dedication of his loving wife Beverlee, reemerged with as much determination and resolve as in his previous life. He actively volunteered his expertise to many non-profits and organizations throughout the Bay Area, including Treasurer of Board of Directors at Marin Center of Independent Living, President of the Board of Directors at The Redwoods, advisor Legal Services Trust Fund Program (The State Bar of California), and in governance of Strybing Arboretum and Botanical Gardens in Golden Gate Park. In addition to his loving sister Nancy; sons Christian, Eric, Craig, Adam, daughter Jessica, and daughter-in-law Noelle; grandchildren Lane, Bridget, Laurel, and Rex; he is survived by his love and life partner Beverlee, for whom we are all eternally indebted to for her tireless compassion and care that enabled Bill to survive for so long and so well. He is also survived by his loyal and loving attendants, Saki Vakalala and Virginia Fuentes. He will be missed for his humor and laugh, wit, charm, generosity, wisdom, advice, and love. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of Bill's life will occur on what would have been his 75th Birthday, Saturday October 15th, 2011 at 10:30am at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Mill Valley, CA (3 Oakdale Ave.). A reception will follow immediately after across the school yard in the old Mt. Carmel gymnasium (17 Buena Vista Ave.). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Marin Center for Independent Living (c/o Donations, 710 Fourth Street, San Rafael, CA 94901) and The Redwoods Retirement Center (The Redwoods Development Office, 40 Camino Alto, CA 94941). The family also invites all who knew Bill to share their memories or thoughts in the guest book at www.WilliamHBentley.com