William Engler Obituary

Name: Celebration of Life for William Engler
Location: Embassy Suites

William Engler

Aug. 11, 1937 - May 8, 2018

On Tuesday, May 8, Bill Engler passed away peacefully with his wife and best friend, Connie, holding his hand. He was a kind, gentle man with an easygoing nature whom many admired and loved. He will be greatly missed.

Bill leaves his wife of 48 years, his sons Kevin, Michael (Tonyia), Patrick (Amber), and daughters Jennifer Westbrook, Theresa Engler-MacNaughton (Mike Bachicha), and nine grandchildren, as well as three sisters and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Bill was an avid golfer, jogger, hand ball player his entire life. He was a genuine San Francisco native having attended Holy Names elementary school, St. Ignatius High School (Class of 1955), and Univ. of San Francisco.

He worked for the National Labor Relations Board for over 40 years and took up labor arbitration after retirement.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Ignatius College Preparatory Scholarship fund or Lewy Body Dementia Association.

A funeral mass will be said at St. Robert Catholic Church in San Bruno, at 2 pm on Saturday, June 2, immediately followed by a celebration of life at the Embassy Suites in Burlingame.

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

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from May 16 to May 20, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for William Engler

14 Entries

Tom Cestare

May 10, 2022

Still miss talking to Bill
I think about him every time I use one of the books he sent me to help me with arbitrations
I have kept all of his handwritten notes in those books
A great friend who always made you feel better
I miss him

Tom Cestare

May 10, 2020

I think of Bill often. I would really like to have long conversations with him regarding the state of our country and what we could do about improving the lives of all Americans.

Aunt Ginny and Dad(Bill)

Patrick Engler

June 11, 2019

June 19, 2018

Miss you every day Dad

June 19, 2018

Dad's eulogy

Please help us to love each other and understand each other. That's The way my father started prayers at dinner time.. My father was a third-generation San Franciscan and proud of the city that he was born in and worked in. I probably became a Tour Guide because of how much dad loved San Francisco and how many stories he would tell me about grandma living over on Ritch St. or what happened here or there or where my grandfather worked out of Potrero station as a SFPD lieutenant . He would tell me about going to Seal stadium which is now the Potrero shopping center that I shop at. He would tell me about the best outfield ever to play baseball which he believed was Vada Pinson, Felipe Alou, and Frank Robinson. They didn't play for the San Francisco Giants, they played for the Cincinnati Reds. Dad loved baseball and my father took me to some great Giants games and we went to some historic 49er games. I remember going to the catch part two with Owens catching the touchdown with about eight seconds left in the game or Dad wanting to leave a game where the Niners were down 38-14, but they came back and won 39-38. I remember dad, who always wanted to leave games early because either the Giants were the pits or the 49ers were the pits. And yet we saw some great games together. My father taught me how to throw a baseball,write,hit a handball, He taught me how to catch, he taught me how to be a person who cared about other people. Dad, was known by his sisters as a mother hen and he would do anything for his kids and even when we were in trouble and it was our fault dad Almost always took our side. He was a fair and loving man. There is no one he loved more than his wife, Connie. They shared nearly 48 years together. He loved all of his kids me,Theresa,Jennie,Kevin, and Mike equally and he did a great job. My father would not say much in the way of boasting about himself or being negative. Dad was probably the most intellectual person in the room and would say very little but when he did speak he was very contemplative with his words and most everyone would stop and listen. There are so many memories that I have of my father whether it be going all around the world to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, etc. Wherever we would go, we were always walking. I remember walking 38 blocks in New York at nine years old with dad saying we don't need a taxi, it's just a little bit further. Suffice it to say Theresa and I had blistered feet that night and never actually made it up to the top of the Empire State building. Dad, the avid runner as I write this about my father, the Bay to Breakers is happening in San Francisco. I can remember being seven years old and wanting to run the last part of the race with my dad. I looked up to my father like no one else in my life. Dad, loved playing handball at the south end rowing club and I'm lucky that before his legs and his back truly went, I got to play handball with dad against Rudy Stottleberg, who was a 13 time national champion and we WON, but Rudy was also 91. In the last years of dads life, Rudy, dad and I would go to the South End and either play sevens or go for a swim. Dad loved swimming, he would go early in the morning when we went to Hawaii and he would swim and sometimes he would take me with him. Dad loved music and even though he was very tone deaf in a group, I can remember dad singing songs from the man of La Mancha and Pete Seeger and turning me onto folk music and my love of harmony probably comes from the music that my father turned me onto. Dad was an FDR Democrat, and I love that he was never too liberal and never conservative. What dad believed in most was doing the right thing. Period. My father was a man of the people and just an amazing person. He didn't just say we try to love each other and understand each other, what my father, Bill Engler, did, was just that. If dad's spirit is not lurking around this memorial today, I'd like to think that Dad and his brothers,along with Grandpa are all sharing a game of golf, laughing, and losing to Grandma. (Thanks Steve). Dad had an effect on our lives that we will never forget and I hope that he's watching over all of his family and friends. I'm so happy that all of you could be here today to celebrate the life and come together for the loss of an loving and understanding man, Bill Engler.

a loved one

Sent Flowers

May 24, 2018

Bill was the senior member of the Engler/Healy tribe of children. Bill's mother (Till) was married to Uncle Joe & was our Dad's sister! Uncle Joe & Aunt Till had 6 children & our parents(Peter & Belinda Healy)had 6 children so the 12 of us kids grew up together as cousins! Bill as the oldest of the cousins was "the leader of this pack" and one could not ask for a better leader! Bill was such a warm, wonderful, gentle human being! Personally, he was always someone I looked up to & admired! There is no doubt in my mind that the world is better because of Bill Engler!

Cousin Terry Healy

Allison Naprstek

May 22, 2018

I was so sorry to hear that Bill had left this life. He was such a kind and gentle man. I loved him, Connie, Jennie, Theresa, Patrick, Kevin, and Mike so very much. I grew up with Jennie and had the privilege to spend many nights at the Engler home where I was welcomed. I wished I had been able to spend more time with this wonderful family as an adult.

Lots of Love,
Allison (Tucker) Naprstek

May 21, 2018

My condolences to Mrs. Engler and family. May fond memories of good times spent together comfort you and the peace from God sustain you during this difficult time.

Tom Cestare

May 18, 2018

If you were lucky in life, you got to meet Bill Engler.
He was a man dedicated to his family,his faith,the rule of law,
and seemingly every person he ever met.
During his working years, he was an unabashed champion
of working men and women. He always sought to make certain
that justice was not denied those who sought to improve their
conditions.
It would be impossible for me to express just how important
Billy was in my life. He was always there for a timely conversation
that would inevitably make me feel better. In times of need, Billy
was always there for me.
He was simply one of the best and most important persons I have
ever met in my life. All of us "lads"were lucky to have him in our lives.
I am very proud to say he was my friend.
Aloha Billy boy!
Tom Cestare

Connie Engler

May 18, 2018

He was a bright loving man, was devoted to his religion, his wife, daughters and sons. He was admired by numerous family and friends. He will be greatly missed, especially by his wife. I will always love you, Bill.

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