William Hersey

William Halstead Hersey

William Halstead Hersey, inventor and founder of PLS Pacific Laser Systems.

Born Feb. 4, 1945 to Roscoe M. Hersey, Jr. and Margaret Halstead Hersey in New York, New York. Died at home April 20, 2014.

Bill spent most of his childhood in Baltimore, MD, and he attended the University of Pittsburgh. He had a varied career.  While in college, Bill worked for the West Penn AAA, reporting traffic on the radio from his imaginary helicopter. Bill was a cab driver in Pittsburgh and later in San Francisco (Yellow 514). He worked construction, first as a Union carpenter, then as an estimator. At some point in his mid-fifties, Bill realized that he would not fulfill his dream of being center fielder for the New York Yankees.

His frustration with plumb bobs in windy conditions while working at Opera Plaza in San Francisco drove him to invent reliable, easy-to-use laser tools for skilled tradespeople.  Bill was awarded U.S. and foreign patents for a number of self-leveling laser tools, known as the "PLS" brand, used worldwide in commercial construction. The first laser tool, the PLS5, was developed at home and patented in 1992.  PLS Pacific Laser Systems opened its doors for business in 1995. Numerous new laser tools and patents followed. Bill took a keen interest in all aspects of the manufacture of PLS tools, mastering CNC (computer numerical control) machines, their programming, and the many details involved in managing a company.

Survived by Cynthia M. Hersey whom he married April 2,1984, daughter Elizabeth Spiegel (Brandon), grandson Valen William Spiegel, brother Roscoe/Bob Hersey, III (Maria), their children Sara and Christopher (Honey Jo), cousins Jill Barr, Richard Galland, Jr. (Annie Calloway), Holley Galland Haymaker (Richard), Maggie Galland, sister-in-law Barbara Selsor and niece Vanessa Selsor, by his dog Yogi, by friends and employees and members of Alcoholics Anonymous. Bill was 26 years sober in AA when he died.

He was extraordinary, complicated, kind, non-judgmental, generous, well-read, distinguished, handsome, interesting, quick-witted, forgiving, brilliant, hard-working, loving and lovable. Bill was curious about the world and how things worked. He loved the Ballet, Beethoven and Bonnie Raitt.  He was a self-made tycoon and a life-long, dedicated Democrat.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bill's memory can be made to 10000degrees.org and/or http://www.active.com/donate/2014ocwalk/nikoandlevi. There will be a gathering to honor Bill's life on Saturday, June 28, 2:00 to 4:00, at Fernwood Cemetery, 301 Tennessee Valley Road, Mill Valley, CA.