Honor Bill Coburn's Legacy by Supporting His Loved Ones

For over 50 years, William P. Coburn has tirelessly dedicated his life to his beloved Oakland community. Bill passed away on July 26, 2024 and leaves behind his wife, two sons and a granddaughter. His family faces an insurmountable challenge and they humbly reach out to their community for financial support to keep their home.

Bill was a renowned architect in the Bay Area, having opened his own firm in 1978 after receiving his Masters in Architecture from Harvard School of Design in 1971.

Bill's love for his community seeps through every crack in the sidewalk, where he planted flowers to beautify the land. It spans generations, where he worked as an architect to keep the historic beauty of Oakland and Berkeley alive through his restoration projects. He was an instrumental asset to the City of Berkeley having been chosen to select buildings that would be used as part of the Delaware Street Historic District in West Berkeley.

Bill established a deep commitment to his community, both personally and professionally. He created physical spaces and built emotional connections. Today, you can see the many hand painted signs across Victorian homes in West Oakland, highlighting the original architects, dates built in the 1800's, and fostering a sense of history and pride among residents. After the tragic destruction of the Cypress freeway collapse in the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake, Bill volunteered countless hours as an architect and landscaper to rebuild and retrofit homes and businesses in the community. Bill was also passionately involved in the redevelopment and design of Mandela Parkway, which remains a verdant space for community development and empowerment.

Bills dedication to community improvement is evident in nearly every Oakland neighborhood. Driving through the city you will see trees he planted, houses he built; memories made and sustained through his hard work and unwavering dedication to serve a city where he saw the potential to build a better world.

Bill and his wife Su have spearheaded the First Presbyterian Church of Oakland's Food Ministry Program for over 20 years. Bill guided a team of over 50 volunteers to deliver over 15,000 meals a year to encampments, hosted holiday events for the unhoused, and provided those in need with hot meals at the Church each week.

Your generosity is needed at this time to help the family during this transition. Your donation will show that Bill's kindness and quiet dedication has not gone unnoticed and remind us that we are not alone in this fight.