William Francis "Bill" Buckley

William Francis Buckley "Bill"

Bill was born in San Francisco on September 11, 1938 bringing joy to his parents William David and Daisy Marie Buckley, who had recently suffered the loss of Bill's older brother, William David Jr., all now in God's memory.
On a sunny day on Chenery Street Bill's life would change forever. Here he met and fell head over heels in love with his faithful and loving wife of fifty-six years, Nancy. They were married on October 18, 1958. For the prize of this woman Bill, an only child would be forever immersed in the life, times and trials of a huge family. An immersion Bill gladly embraced to earn the love and happiness of Nancy.
That union would lead to Bill's most prized title. Bill has worn many titles some may be unaware of, soccer player at Balboa High School, Yo-Yo champion, gardener for SF Recreation and Park Department, graduate from SFCC where he achieved an AA in horticulture, Head Groundskeeper at Kezar, Head Groundskeeper at Candlestick Park, but those were not titles he choose for himself. The simple title he was most proud of was that of Father of daughters Doreen Marie; Denise Caroline; Nancy Francis, Deborah Marie and yes, finally his legacy would be carried on through his one and only beloved son and best friend, William F. Jr.
The title of Father seemed to quickly get overtaken by grandfather as the latter began to outgrow the former. To his grandchildren Carmen; Randolph; William; Francisco; Jasmine and William "Liam", Grandpa is described as "Gracious, painfully honest tempered with kindness (the kindness that came with age), principled and honorable, a man of his word, my anchor, sarcastic and hilarious."
There are many other family members, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends, too numerous to mention, who could each tell you their own great, funny Bill Buckley stories. They also loved and adored this precious man of very few words but to whom God had to physically give a deep huge chest in order to contain his precious and giving heart. They perhaps might tell you that what Bill loved was football, baseball, sports, TV - the bigger the better, cheese (Velveeta and American only please), hamburgers, vodka, beer, pro-union, American made vehicles and his various dogs just to name a few. But they were all wrong. You see, Bill's true love was his wife, Nancy. Bill would spend many an hour plotting and scheming how he could kidnap her to his retirement home in "the country" and hold her hostage for as long as possible. It was there where Bill was his happiest. Just the two of them, as they started out so many years ago on Chenery St., so it would end.
Surrounded by all his adoring family with broken hearts, on February 12, 2015, Bill exhaled his last breathe of life, Nancy's lips pressed on his at that very precise moment. At his side as she always was, never a thought to leave him, ever, just as he would have wanted. An unbelievable moment of beauty we were privileged to witness. A true love story that will never end. For how could it? Bill will live in our hearts forever until the time we are all reunited again.
Private services to be held at a later date. Please contact the family for details.