William M. “Bill” Francis

April 16, 1926 - December 6, 2018

William M. “Bill” Francis, 92, passed away Thursday at Napa Nursing Center, Napa, CA. Bill was born April 16, 1926 in his maternal grandparents, Manuel and Rosa Ribeiro’s, home on East G St. in Benicia. His parents, Manuel and Mary Francis were both born in Portugal. His mother migrated from Pico, Azores Islands to the United States at age 2. His father emigrated from the mainland at age 19. Bill graduated from Alhambra Union High School in Martinez in 1943, and shortly after graduation, joined the U.S. Navy and became a Signalman. He served in the Pacific during WWII on two ships including the U.S.S. Noble. At the end of the war, Bill was honorably discharged and enrolled in college under the G.I. Bill. He attended Vallejo Junior College for 2 years and then transferred to San Jose State University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism. He was very proud to be a member of “The Greatest Generation.” Upon graduation from college, Bill returned to Benicia where he served as a staff member of the Benicia Herald, co-agent with Prudential Insurance and the first full time manager of the Benicia Chamber of Commerce. Bill greatly enjoyed his chamber work and eventually became the executive director of the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce. Years later, Bill became the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Terra California Company, the main developer of Rossmoor in Walnut Creek and then founded his own commercial development company, Civic Development, a commercial real estate firm. Bill met Nina Lou Smith when she was a dental assistant across the street from the Benicia Herald where he worked. They were married on June 14, 1953 at a Catholic Church in Las Vegas, NV where close friends and family were in attendance for the weekend long celebration. They were married for 58 years until she preceded him in death on August 24, 2011. Bill was dedicated to serving his community and was a lifetime member of the Lions Club in Walnut Creek and the Martinez Historical Society. He was especially proud to have completed a project at the Historical Society’s Museum assembling a book of photographs and information of residents of Martinez who served in the Armed Forces during WWII. Survivors include his sister, Beverly Acevedo of Benicia; brother, Richard Francis of Martinez; niece, Laura Acevedo Bennett and her husband, Arnuefo Tapia of Petaluma; his nephew, Bill of Oregon; sisters-in-law, Kathy Smith of Vallejo and Bobbie Lynn Nickolatos of Benicia; and numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends he so loved and remained close to his entire life. Visitation will be held 4-8 PM with Vigil Services at 7 PM on Sunday, Dec. 16 at Passalacqua Funeral Chapel, 901 West 2nd St., Benicia. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 AM Monday, Dec. 17 at St. Dominic’s Church, 450 East I St., Benicia. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Dominic’s Cemetery, Benicia. Memorial contributions are preferred to the Lions Center for the Visually Impaired, 175 Alvarado St., Pittsburgh, CA 94565, the Martinez Historical Society, PO Box 14, Martinez, CA 94553 or any Veteran’s memorial organizations.