William Patrick Jacobs

Bill is survived by the love of his life Anita Jacobs. They were married by a Baptist Minister in Pleasanton, CA on June 11, 1977, and at Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church in Oakley, CA on June 11, 2009. He was the devoted father of Debra Reinthaler, Oakland, CA, William Jacobs Jr., North Highlands, CA, Michael Jacobs, Concord, CA, Nadine Hingson, San Antonio, TX, Cindy Chatfield, Sonora, CA, Aaron Chatfield, Reno, NV; cherished grandfather of 13 grandchildren: Stacy Murphree, Elena Jacobs, William Jacobs III, Kenneth Lindley, Jeremy Hingson, Ashley Hingson, Corinne Gonzalez, Lindsay Thomas, Colin Rines, Kyle Rines, Kevin Rines, Nathaniel Chatfield, Heather Chatfield; loving great-grandfather of 17 great-grandchildren: Tailor Murphree, Mackenzie Murphree, Madison Murphree, Ryann Murphree, Tiffany Jacobs, Jackie Jacobs, Angelica Gonzalez, Andrew Rines, Kyra Rines, Nathan Thomas, Ryan Thomas, Halie Rines, Logan Rines, Cailin Rines, Nathaniel Chatfield, Aaliyah Chatfield, Chad Chatfield; caring brother of Robert Jacobs, Sacramento, CA, and sisters Diane Paulsen, Ranch Cordova, CA, and Bonnie Dickinson, San Ramon, CA. He was preceded in death by his brother Timothy Burke and is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Bill was born as William Patrick Burke, Jr. to William Patrick and Rachael Constance (Arellanes) Burke in Oakland, CA, adopted by Joseph Jacobs during his mother’s second marriage, and raised in Oakland where he attended Fremont High School. He served his country in the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1953 through 1955 and was stationed at Monterey, CA, San Luis Obispo, CA, San Francisco, CA, New Brunswick, NJ, Sweibrucken, Germany, Frankfurt, Germany, Saint Jean D’ Angley, France, and La Rochelle, France.

Bill studied at Chabot College, Diablo Valley College, the University of Michigan, John F. Kennedy University, the University of Tehran, California State University Hayward, University of California San Francisco-Extension, and California Coast University. He graduated from Chabot College with an A.A. degree and California Coast University with B.S. and M.B.A. degrees.

On loan to AT&T, Bill worked in Tehran, Iran for American Bell International during 1978. He retired from Pacific Bell with 35 years service in 1990 as a mid-level executive. Bill became a freelance writer in his retirement years, writing under his birth name Bill Burke. His published works included books, essays, short stories, poetry, and booklets. His published books include Human Relations: A Cross-cultural Comparison of the Work Ethics of American Expatriates and Middle Eastern Host Country Business Colleagues, 1987; Adventures in the Middle East, Near East, North Africa, 2004; Odyssey from Iran, and My Army Days: Hup, Toop, Threep, Fourp!, 2009; The Persian Caper, 2011, The Palestinian Caper, 2014. Bill’s biographies appeared in Who’s Who in the West 1989-1990 edition, and Who’s Who in Entertainment 1998-1999 edition. He was a seasoned international traveler, lived in France and Iran, and visited 49 countries, 47 of them with Anita, and all 50 states. Besides world travel, he loved writing, roaming the states and Canada with Anita in their motor home, cards, bocce, and target shooting. Bill was a Life Member of the National Rifle Association and the California Rifle & Pistol Association.

Visitation will be held February 7, 2014 from 1 - 4PM at Brentwood Funeral Home, Brentwood.

Funeral service will be held 10AM, Monday, February 10, 2014 at Saint Anthony Church, Oakley. A fellowship will follow the funeral service at the Summerset Vista Clubhouse1581 Regent Drive in Brentwood.

Interment will follow the fellowship at Lakewood Memorial Park, 900 Santa Fe Avenue, Hughson, CA.