The son of Italian immigrants, William J. Ronchelli ’49 was born in San Rafael on Feb. 6, 1928, to Edwina and Orlando Ronchelli. He was the older “little” brother to Edward Ronchelli. As a young family, they moved to Santa Rosa for Orlando’s business in produce. William attended St. Rose School and graduated from Santa Rosa High School. He graduated from Santa Clara University with a degree in mechanical engineering. While at Santa Clara, he joined the ROTC program and later served for two years in the Army as a second lieutenant. While living and working in San Francisco, he met and courted Mary O’Leary at Saint Monica’s Parish. The Young Adult Monican Club was the start of many friendships that would last a lifetime. Bill and Mary married in SF and a year later settled in Santa Rosa, where they would eventually build the home where they raised their seven children. Bill went to work for his father in the wholesale/retail produce business known as Farmer’s Market on Mendocino Avenue, where they would remain in business together for 30 years. Bill had many interests. He loved spending time with his family and looked forward to his annual family trips to Graeagle, California. He had a passion for gardening and never lost his farmer’s touch, grafting his fruit trees and starting seedlings in his greenhouse. He was a loyal patron of the Santa Rosa Symphony and the theatre arts. He loved history and continuing education at Sonoma State and the Santa Rosa Jr. College. He was an avid swimmer and taught his children a deep appreciation of the outdoors. By example, he taught the importance of caring for others less fortunate and how this was an important part of his life. He was a man of deep faith, volunteering at Church, presiding at Communion services, and bringing Communion to the sick. He was a longtime supporter of both local and global charitable organizations and worked locally with Catholic Charities, Family Support Center, and Interfaith Shelter Network. Bill passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on March 5, 2017. He will be remembered for his warmth, kindness, generosity, and openhearted compassion—and for a smile that could light up a room. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary, and survived by his loving brother, Edward, and sister-in-law Linda and family; devoted children Margaret, Denis Janie, Ray Cristi, Barbara, Daniel Rose, Maria Diane, and Owen Melanie; and grandchildren Colleen, Michelle, Katie, Dominic, Monica, Clara, Jessica, Enzo, and Anya.