William "Bill" Downing, 68, of San Francisco, CA, passed away on January 18, 2023 in Costa Rica where he was living. William was born on April 9, 1954 in Costa Rica. His mother immigrated and brought him as an infant to San Francisco where he grew up. William attended Saint Vincents' School in San Rafael with his brothers Herb and Richard.  William's dream was to work in construction building high-rises. As a young man, he apprenticed  with the Carpenter's Union in San Francisco and worked in the building trades for the rest of his life. He met his first wife Anita, fathered Christopher and Jessica and also raised Anita's son and daughter as his own. He was married to his second wife Kathy for 10 years and they remained lifelong friends. 

William was a larger than life personality, gregarious, kind, and generous. His family meant more to him than anything in the world, something he often mentioned. He was proud of his kids and their careers and always tried his best to support them. He was gifted with creativity, problem-solving and mechanical skills, physical strength and robust health most of his life, and was always ready with a truck and tools whenever a friend needed help. 

William maintained lifelong friendships, from his days at St Vincents', from neighborhoods he lived in, his union brethren, and new friends made along the way.  Anyone who knew William knew his passion for life. William was predeceased by his mother and father. He is survived by his son Christopher, grandson and baby granddaughter and daughter Jessica who is raising two grandchildren. 

The tragic circumstances of William's death leave his family and friends grieving and in shock. Christopher will bring him back from Costa Rica so we can all come together and celebrate his life and begin the healing process.

To help with the expenses of his death, legal and investigative costs, and funeral, see the Go-Fund-Me page at https://gofund.me/b30ce789 . The family requests donations to offset expenses. There will be a celebration of life scheduled at a future date in the San Francisco bay area. 

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