William Patrick Garvey III was born in San Francisco on October 21,1935 and passed away on his 90th birthday. Son of William Patrick Jr. & Erna Averdieck, Bill was raised in Cow Hollow with his siblings, Paul and Linda.

A lifelong learner, Bill began his studies at St. Joseph’s Seminary, followed by St. Patrick’s, where he played basketball and earned a degree in Theology. He continued his education at the University of Portland, receiving a scholarship and completing a master’s degree and PhD in psychology.

While living in Portland, Bill met his first wife, Anna, who he married in 1961. Together, they welcomed three children: Karen, Mark, and Brent. They relocated back to the Bay Area in 1966, settling in San Jose. During this time, Bill worked as a professor of counseling services at San Jose State University, serving as a program director for psychology interns in their child therapy program.

Bill’s life was rich in friendships and new experiences. An avid traveler and spiritual seeker at his core, Bill loved to explore new places and examine different ways of approaching the world. Bill often recounted a particularly harrowing sailing trip from Southern California to Tahiti. When the ship began to sink during the voyage, he and the other passengers served as deckhands, bailing water for hours as they awaited rescue by an Indian Freighter. In the late 1970’s, his travels took him to Kentucky to work with personal growth author and lecturer Ken Keyes at the Living Love Center. Bill dove headfirst into Ken’s teachings as a student and then as a volunteer, driving Ken’s bus around the country before eventually ending up back in the Bay Area in 1978.

Upon his return, Bill opened a private therapy practice and worked with patients in San Jose, Los Gatos and Santa Cruz. He met his second wife, Joyce, who he married in 1993. Bill and Joyce enjoyed many travels together, including trips to the Caribbean, Mexico, and throughout Europe. They settled in Aptos, where they embraced the beauty of the ocean and redwoods, sharing countless walks in nature over the years. They bonded over their mutual love of live music, good food, and great wine. Joyce was a dedicated caretaker toward the end of Bill’s life and was by his side at the time of his death. 

Bill’s zest for life and love of family never wavered in his 90 years. He was a voracious reader, a great dancer, an enthusiastic fan of the Giants and Forty Niners, an author, an aspiring comedian, a piano student, and a lover of french fries with extra salt. He adored his grandchildren and great grandchildren, regularly attending their dance recitals and sports games or treating them to piles of new books at Bookshop Santa Cruz.

Bill was preceded in death by his sister, Linda, and brother, Paul. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, three children and their families Karen and Rich Wilson (Kim, Jeff), Mark and Andrea Garvey (Elias, Hudson, Luke), and Brent and Sunshine Garvey (Gavin, Shane, Bella, Jack), as well as two great-grandchildren, Hazel and Theo. A memorial will be held in his honor early next year.