Last Call: Passing of Bill Roe

On May 4, 2023, Bill Roe, passed away at his home in Auburn, California after battling a bout of cancer. He was surrounded by friends and family when he passed away. He leaves behind his partner of 25 years, MS Maureen Anderson, daughter Faith Causie and her husband Matt and his son William Roe, Jr., and his wife Katherine who were all in attendance. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Bill was an avid sailor piloting his sailboat up and down the coast of California and all through the Sacramento delta. He loved to host and cook for everyone at either his house or on the frequent sailing ventures he undertook with friends and family. He also loved to do woodworking, building or engineering some project. He once built a 1937 Jaguar sports car that won first place at a car show.

Bill retired from the Los Altos Fire Department in 1991 as a Captain. He served Los Altos Fire in 1954 as a firefighter, served in the United States Army from 1955-1957 came back to the Los Altos Fire Department from 1959 to 1960, returned to the US Army from 1960 to 1963 and then back to the Los Altos Fire Department from 1963 to 1991.

In 1970 he joined the Northern Section of the California Fire Mechanics Association, the California Fire Chief’s Association, and the California Fire Mechanics Academy. He became a member of the Education Committee of the

Fire Mechanics Academy in 1971 and served as the Chairman from 1975 till 1980 and then again from 1982 till 1989. While a member of the Mechanics Section he served as the following:

1976-1977 1st Vice President
1977-1979 President
1979-1981 1st Vice President
1981-1991 2nd Vice President

Bill helped formulate and develop the curriculum that was being taught at the academy and was also teaching classes such as Fire Pumps and Accessories, Special Projects, and Preventative Maintenance. He also was instrumental in creating the course outlines and for the curriculum to develop the Certification Program for the Fire Mechanics in the State of California. Bill was instrumental in getting the Fire Pumps and Accessories class ramped up from a one day course to the weeklong class it is today. Bill was an instrumental component of getting pump manufacturers to supply cutaway training pumps for the Academy. During training exercises Bill was known for his tie-died T-Shirts.

1n 1990 the Academy honored Bill with the Pep Richardson Honoree of the Year award and in 2001 bestowed the Academy Member Emeritus honor.

A Celebration of life is being planned and once confirmed we will post it on the website.

Download the Notice – Bill Roe Information