William Hunger

1943 - 2025

William Hunger
10/13/1943 - 06/22/2025
San Francisco has lost one of its iconic characters with the sudden passing of William Kenneth Hunger, (AKA) Shag Master, who died on June 22, 2025, due to cardiac arrest. Bill was a fun loving, memorable person, who brought smiles and laughter to the many, many people he met.
Bill was born in San Francisco, CA on October 13, 1943. Bill graduated from Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in Stockton in 1961, and from Sacramento State University in 1966, with a degree in Criminal Justice. While at Sacramento State, Bill played Rugby on their newly formed club team. That experience gave him a love of Rugby for his entire life. During the 1970's, Bill spent several years in Boston and was a charter member of the Mystic River Rugby Club, which was formed in 1974, and became well known in the New England Area. During that time Bill went with the Club on tours to Wales and the former Soviet Union. Bill attended the Club's 25th anniversary in 1989 and was disappointed that his health prevented him from attending the 50th in 2024. He was proud of the fact that he was an ambassador during the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens that were held in San Francisco at AT&T Park (now Oracle Park).
Bill had many jobs over the years, but most of his career was working as a bartender and cab driver. He worked for many years at the Financial Corner Bar and was well known for his "Rajun Cajun" martinis, which contained vodka infused with Chili peppers. Later Bill worked at Gio's Bar for his good friend Giovanni Costabile. Bill was the classic San Francisco bartender who knew your name, your favorite drink, and what you liked to talk about.
As a cab driver, Bill was always engaging and one year he was named "Cab Driver of the Year." Bill would typically have fares that became friends, and one was Joe DiMaggio. After driving Joe to the airport, Joe asked Bill for his card and later would call Bill whenever he was going to or from the airport. When Bill dropped Joe off at the airport in 1999 for a trip to Florida, he said to Bill, I'll call you in a few weeks when I fly back." Sadly, Joe passed away in Florida on that trip.
Bill enjoyed partying and having fun, and it is no surprise that he joined the Matuca chapter of the E Clampus Vitas (ECV), better known as the Clampers. When Bill went through the initiation as a Poor Blind Candidate (PCB), which was 4 hours of mud, water, eggs, etc. being tossed at you, he decided to go through the initiation in a tuxedo, which had never been done before or since. Bill enjoyed many Clamper events and "doings".
Bill never married or had any children, but he enjoyed a close bond with his four nieces throughout their childhood and their expanding families in early adulthood. After his sister Darlene's passing in 2004 the bond strengthened. He loved getting to know his niece's husbands bonding over shared interests like sports, travel, music, etc. He also enjoyed getting to know his great nieces, nephew, great-great nieces and great-great nephew, celebrating their milestones and achievements. No surprise to anyone, Bill welcomed any chance to get together and celebrate, whatever the occasion: Birthdays, graduations, weddings, and numerous holidays. And as was his style he celebrated each occasion with gusto!
Bill was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Evelyn Hunger, his sister Darlene Hunger Evans, his brother-in-law, Russ Evans, and his great niece Jessica Hunter.
He is survived by his four nieces: Dara Evans; Debie Howe (Kurt Howe, deceased); Lisa Crusan (Rick Crusan) and Hope Carlson (Rocky Carlson). He is also survived by 3 great nieces, 1 great nephew, 3 great-great nieces and 1 great-great nephew.
Bill had willed his body to UCSF Medical School, and no services are planned. A Celebration of Life will be held in the fall. For details, please contact billhungermemorial@gmail.com.