William "Bill" Engler
Aug. 11, 1937 - May 8, 2018
San Bruno, CA
On Tuesday, May 8, Bill Engler passed away peacefully with his wife and best friend, Connie, holding his hand. He was a cherished and loved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend to many.
Bill loved his family fiercely and would do anything for any one of them. He loved to travel and especially loved to visit his ancestral country of Ireland. Hawaii -- and its golf courses -- was also a favorite destination. Bill was a kind and generous man, whose calm demeanor and gentle manner endeared people to him. His warm smile and easygoing nature will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He was one-of-a-kind.
A San Francisco native, Bill grew up on 32nd Avenue, the eldest son of Joseph and Mathilda (Healy) Engler. He attended Holy Name elementary school, St. Ignatius High School (Class of 1955) and graduated from the University of San Francisco.
Bill never lost touch with the friends of his youth. He rarely missed the monthly luncheon with his fellow classmates of '55 and some of Bill's neighborhood buddies from the Sunset remained his friends from boyhood onward. He was proud of his two grandchildren who continued the S.I. tradition Sean and Madeleine MacNaughton (2016 and 2020, respectively).
An athlete for most of his life, Bill began working as golf caddy at the Olympic Club when he was 11. He was an avid golfer and took advantage of any place he could find to practice his swing, which may have included hopping a fence or two. For years, Bill ran in the Bay to Breakers and was an active member of the South End Rowing Club and a regular on their handball courts.
Bill spent 40 years working for the federal government, beginning when he joined the National Labor Relations Board in San Francisco in 1967. He served as a field examiner for many years and later oversaw a team of attorneys and examiners resolving or litigating labor disputes.
After his retirement, he spent 15 years as a highly sought after labor arbitrator.
True to his Jesuit education, Bill held deeply rooted beliefs of social justice, fairness and equity for all, especially to those whose voices he felt were stifled in the workplace. This belief was the underpinning of his dedication to workers' rights and fair labor practices for more than 55 years.
For decades, Bill and his family shared a prayer before dinner.
"Dear God, thank you for the food you've given us and thank you for giving us each other. Please help us to love each other and understand each other. Amen"
Bill deeply believed that respect, equity, tolerance and kindness toward others was possible if people would try to understand one another. He practiced this personally and professionally, and in his faith and his community.
Bill is survived by his wife of 48 years, Connie Engler; three sons, Kevin and Patrick of San Francisco and Michael of Corona, Calif.; two daughters, Jennifer Westbrook of Pleasant Hill and Theresa Engler-MacNaughton of Montara, and nine grandchildren.
The oldest of six brothers and sisters, Bill is also survived by his three sisters, Jean Etcheverry, Maureen Engler and Virginia Wolff, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A special thank you to the caretakers, nurses and doctors at Mission House Hospice and Peninsula Hospital. Your kindness will be remembered.
Memorial donations may be made to the St. Ignatius College Preparatory Scholarship Fund and/or the Lewy Body Dementia Association.
A funeral Mass will be held at 2 p.m., June 2, at St. Robert Church, 1380 Crystal Springs Road, San Bruno, CA, 94066. It will be immediately followed by a celebration of Bill's life at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 150 Anza Blvd., Burlingame, CA 94010.
