Master and Commander
Posts: 1005
Location: NE Florida | Subject: Saturday Obit
Note to All: I can only post the notices of those who my search tool finds. Other places have other sources. Another place where obituaries for submariners is posted is the USSVI Eternal Patrol page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ussvi.eternalpatrol/
William John Sappington
was born April 30, 1959 in San Francisco and passed away unexpectedly September 23, 2023 in Lakeport, CA. He was 64. He is survived by his son, Calvin Sappington, niece, Alana Ludlow, nephew, Daniel Wolfe, friend and co-parent, Jen Bremer, and stepdaughters, Erin McElroy and Tammie Johnstone, as well as a multitude of cousins and friends. At the time of his passing, he was off-roading with friends in rugged terrain, an activity he enjoyed greatly.
Bill spent his early years between Fremont and Lakeport, CA before joining the US Navy at 18. As a sonar technician in a Cold War submarine, Bill traveled the world, crossing the Arctic Circle and spending time throughout Europe and Asia before returning stateside. All the while he built on his technical knowledge in advanced electronics and microcomputing, passions he turned into a successful post-Navy career running his own company for many years and ultimately leading to a position at UC Berkeley.
Bill was a loving and devoted father; the happiest day of his life was the day that Calvin was born. Throughout the years there were family camping trips, sailing adventures, soccer tournaments, annual treks to the rocket launch in the Black Rock Desert, and even a flying expedition down to Baja California to pet whales when Calvin was just four years old. Bill happily acted as the self-appointed "Hausfrau" during ski seasons in Tahoe, cooking warm, mouthwatering meals for friends and family to serve after a cold day on the slopes.
For years, Bill devoted himself to Burning Man every season as a Black Rock Ranger (playa name: Flyingguy). He loved the artistic freedom, human ingenuity, and sense of community represented by this extreme yearly festival in the desert, but mostly he loved assisting people in his role as a Ranger. His weeks in the service of the festival were all volunteer. Later, he helped out wherever there was need at Montclair Elementary School, eventually being awarded the coveted and well-deserved Volunteer of the Year award. Always first to lend a hand, his dedication and selflessness were recognized and appreciated by all those around him.
A free-spirit, Bill lived a very full life. He was fundamentally a people person, making friends out of strangers everywhere he went. Aiding this, Bill was fearless and adventuresome and cultivated many daring pursuits; chief among them were flying, sailing, motorcycle and car racing, rock climbing, skiing and pyrotechnics. He was a talented musician and played guitar and bass in several bands throughout his adult life. Bill had a curious mind and an exceptional memory which enabled him to speak cogently on a vast array of topics, sometimes to the dismay of others.
Though he was taken from us far too soon, he went out on his own terms, on a joy ride with buddies on a beautiful day, something we take solace in.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Arbor Day Foundation to plant a tree in Bill's name would be greatly appreciated.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 22nd, 2023 at 1:00pm at The Lakeport Yacht Club, 15 Fifth Street, Lakeport, CA 95453.
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Saturday Obit
