Obituaries

Former Albany Mayor Bill Lewis – 1934-2013

A memorial service for former Albany Mayor Bill Lewis will be held at Sunset View Mortuary in El Cerrito at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 7. Lewis died Thursday at age 79.

Below please find an obituary for former Albany Mayor Bill Lewis provided to Patch my his family.

As reported in Peggy McQuaid's blog on Nov. 23, Lewis died last Thursday.

Bob Nichols, who served on the City Council with Lewis from 1988 to 1992, told Patch:

"Bill was always concerned about improving the quality of life for Albany citizens, especially Albany's youth.  He was a force in the Albany little League.  He drove the construction of the Teen Center and was a leader in promoting public events.  Bill was not only concerned with large projects, I recall him lobbying for an Albany Senior whose view was completely blocked by a street tree.  Bill went the extra mile with the city to assure this disabled woman  could enjoy interacting in her neighborhood from her window.  Bill cared about people and will always be remembered for his caring.

The following obituary from his family includes information about services: 

William Allen Lewis, Sr., August 17, 1934 - November 21, 2013

William Allen Lewis, Sr. was born on August 17, 1934 in Richmond, CA to parents Frank and Doris Lewis. He was the seventh of eight children.  He graduated from El Cerrito High School in 1952. He began his career working for Chevron from 1952 to 1967 and then worked for the Department of Defense from 1967 to 1988.  He finished his career as Deputy Director of Point Molate Fuel Depot as part of the US Navy.  He was city councilman and former mayor of Albany, CA.  

As an active member of his community he founded the City of Albany Teen Center, which was then named after him. He had a great love for baseball, coached both of his sons in the sport, and was president of Albany Little League for many years.  Upon his retirement, he was actively involved in the Lake County and Vallejo SIR groups and as well as the Lake County and Vallejo NARFE.  He had the innate ability to share a captivating story.  He was a hard worker and a loving family man who always put his whole heart into all aspects of his life.   He will be deeply missed.

He is preceded in death by his daughter Leah Lewis and his five sisters (Doris Hall, Marianne Connors, Frances Sheppard, Ruth Kibby, Nancy Teese) and one brother (Frank).  He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years Sheilia Lewis and his sister Lucille Irish.  Also by sons William Jr. (Denise) and Michael (Monica), and grandchildren Billy, Jena (Alan Phillips,) Eddy, Michelle, Jessica (Jason Dayton), and two great grandchildren Ezekiel and Isaac Dayton along with many loving nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Sunset View Mortuary in El Cerrito on Saturday, December 7th, at 11:00am.  The burial will be private and donations can be made to the Bill Lewis Albany Teen Center.

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