William George Becker

William George Becker, 86, died peacefully on March 21, 2017. Born October 26, 1930, in Hartford, CT, the third of three sons of Henry and Jean (Low) Becker, he graduated from Bulkeley High School and Trinity College, Hartford. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sybil; daughters, Liz Foreman and husband Chris, of San Mateo, CA, and Tricia Ayers and husband Jim Schlauch, of Portland, OR; step-daughter, Jennifer McDevitt and husband John, of Scottsdale, AZ; brother, Henry Becker of Avon, CT, and many nieces and nephews. Bill served as a medic in the U.S. Army from 1952-1954. He worked for several companies in the paper industry, including Hammermill Paper Co. and Boise Cascade in Chicago and San Francisco, before founding his own company, Office Products Suppliers, Inc. in Burlingame, CA. Bill was a devoted and generous husband and father. He actively supported his daughters' activities, from driving the girl scouts to camp, taking them on vacations, and encouraging and supporting their careers. He and Sybil offered warm hospitality to his daughters' friends who were always welcome for holidays and visits. Bill's greatest passions were people and food, not necessarily in that order. Every meal was a party, whether at home or at a local restaurant – or better still, in Hawaii! He knew the restaurant owners and staff almost as well as his own family and brought friends to as many meals as he could. Whether flipping burgers at home or ordering "anything you want" with friends and family, Bill was the happiest guy at the party. He was a loyal member of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, active in many charitable, civic and business groups, was a past president of the Ballantree Homeowners Association, and for the past 19 years an active participant in the Heart Path Program at Mission Hospital. Bill took his responsibilities seriously and with gusto. He was a man with many friends – all of whom will miss him. A memorial service will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 2, 2017, at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. The family will receive friends following the service. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, CarePartners Hospice, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813, or to a charity of your choice.