William A. "Bill" Mears

William Mears Obituary

Bill died peacefully on Monday, November 14 in Phoenix, Arizona, surrounded by his family, after a two and one-half year illness. Bill was 79 years old, born on June 14, 1932 to Bill and Virginia Mears in St. Paul, Minnesota. He resided in Goodyear, Arizona and Apple Valley, Minnesota. Bill is survived and will be missed by his wife, Harriet; sons, Roddy (Darcy), Vadnais Heights and Joe (Angie), Minneapolis and daughter, Suzanne, Edina; daughters, Carleen (Greg) Needham and Mara (Mike) Harper, Savage; sisters, Marilyn (George) Hobbs, Pine River and Ginger (Jack) Overbye, Roseville; grandchildren, Karlene and Will Mears, Julia and Alex Needham and Claire and Andrew Harper. Bill's favorite place to be was at his cabin on Whitefish Lake. He spent many, many days with family and friends enjoying his lifelong love of boats, family stories and peacefulness of 'the cabin life'. Bill had many wonderful friends, was well known for his generosity and always lived as a 'gentleman's gentleman'. He was appreciated for his great wit and humor. Everyone loved Bill. He was a proud member of AA. He felt honored to be a member of St. Paul Rotary for more than forty years and cherished his friendships and involvement. He also enjoyed his affiliation with the Goodyear Arizona Rotary Club, Boys and Girls Club of Mpls. & St. Paul, Minnesota Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Phoenix Symphony. A "Celebration of Bill's life" will be held at House of Hope Presbyterian Church, St. Paul, on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 12:00pm followed by a light lunch. Memorials preferred to St. Paul Rotary Club Foundation or The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.

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Published by Pioneer Press on Nov. 20, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for William Mears

10 Entries

Gil Zamora

November 14, 2019

bill was a great man I got to know him very well while he was on the board of directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Saint Paul at least once a month he would ask me what the kids needed and he would provide me the resources to make a difference I still wish I had people like Bill around me am now working with Native American Youth that were involved with the Boys & Girls Club up on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation bill would have really liked to see these kids and help them God bless you Bill rest in peace your friend always

Gil za5

marilyn robinson

January 23, 2012

So sorry to hear about Bill - Our condolences to Harriet and family.
Dave and Marilyn Robinson

Ken Crabb

December 7, 2011

Bill was a very caring, generous guy. I am grateful to have known him, especially as we practiced Service Above Self in the Rotary Club of Saint Paul. My condolences to Harriet and his family. He is missed.

Becky Amble

December 7, 2011

I'll always remember Bill's smiling face. We worked hard together and had a good time at SME. I remember fun biz chats in Bill's office. And I'll always remember his kindness shown to my son.
Our thoughts are with Harriet and family. He was a great guy!
Becky Amble

Kate & Stephen

November 29, 2011

Thinking of you, Joe, Angie, and Suzy. Our best to you all during this time.

Susan Meese Tormoen

November 25, 2011

Many fond memories of Bill from long ago. My sympathy to his sisters.

Joe Killoran

November 23, 2011

My thoughts and prayers go out to Harriet and Bill's family. As a member of a small group of guys, that Bill called the "Book Club", I will always remember his sense of humor and the spirited discussions we had.

Gil Zamora

November 22, 2011

My Thoughts and prayers are with Bill today he supported me during my 20 years with the boys and girls club "west side branch" whenever i needed something for the kids i would call and he would send something in the mail! he had a great passion for youth and he was always willing to lend a hand. Bill was truely a man who knew what giving back was all about I am gonna miss bill but I know he is in a better place." Bill through your genorosity and love you put a lot of smiles on kids faces thanks for helping me help kids" may God bless you and forever keep you in his grace.

Gil Zamora

Anne & Fred Gedelman

November 20, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Harriet and Bill's family. Bill Mears was a kind, considerate and very funny man. We have wonderful memories of working with Bill in the water treatment industry with our many years at The Lindsay Company / EcoWater Systems. Spending time with Bill was never boring and he lived life to the fullest. In the recent years we've enjoyed Bill & Harriet's company in Apple Valley and in Phoenix. Our biggest challenge was to figure out how to outwit Bill when it came time to pick up the tab. I think we outwitted him once ... he was very generous!!

Bert Harrington

November 20, 2011

Mr Mears As I called him, was such a warm, sweet, loving person . Always had kind thing to say about anyone he knew. He was such a sweetheart of a person . The world will be missing a very very nice person. My heart goes out to his family and wife. God Bless Bert Harrington I worked with Mr Mears at Spectrum Lab, New Brighton, Minnesota.

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