William John Vlymen III

It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that the Kelly-Vlymen family announce the passing of Dr. William J. Vlymen Ill.

William J. Vlymen Ill, resident of California for 78 years, passed away on April 19, 2026, in the company of his loving partner, Andrea D. Kelly. Dr. Vlymen passed after a long, valiant, arduous health care struggle. Born William J. Vlymen Ill in La Mesa California on July 1, 1947, William was the second child of Lillian Levintoff and William J. Vlymen.

From an early age, William possessed a quiet nature, an insatiable curiosity, and a deep appreciation for classical music, art, and science. As a boy, he dreamed of becoming an aerospace engineer, captivated by the mysteries of space while remaining equally drawn to the beauty and vastness of the ocean. Those fascinations of both wonder and discovery would become defining themes throughout his life.

Inspired by his mother's work, he began working at the age of fifteen with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the Department of the Interior.

Through this formative experience aboard a NOAA fisheries research vessel, he contributed to scientific research, earned a stipend for his work, and gained the mentorship of Dr. Reuben Lasker who continued to mentor him for many years.

That early exposure to research ignited a passion for engineering and ultimately set him on a path of lifelong learning. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in bio-cellular engineering and, in 1977, received a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from the University of California San Diego's Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Sciences. Yet even as he immersed himself in science, he never abandoned his devotion to the arts, pursuing the study of music at LSR Berkeley and nurturing a passion that would remain with him throughout his life.

During the Vietnam War era, Bill considered becoming an Air Force pilot, however, he discovered another calling that united his intellectual gifts with his desire to serve others. He went on to earn a medical degree from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and completed his radiology residency at Stanford. Soon after he went to Wisconsin for a GI fellowship before returning to California.

For more than four decades, William served the Fresno community through his work as a Radiologist at the Veterans Hospital. There, he became known not only for his exceptional skill's as a radiologist, but also for the kindness, humility, and compassion he extended to every patient, colleague, friend, and stranger he encountered. Medicine was his profession, but service was his vocation.

Outside this work, Music, Art, and Ham Radio provided a different kind of fulfillment. William was also a gifted guitarist who played at near professional level, Bill often found joy in the quiet sanctuary of his home office, where he would lose himself in music and happily "rock out" for an audience of one. He admired many musicians including JS Bach, John Dowland, Mozart, Leonard Bernstein and countless others, which reflected his eclectic and "high Brow" taste in music. Bill also shared a love for the arts and was influenced by local Central Valley sculptor Clement Renzi . Bill fondly remembered the time he lived with Clement and the daily conversations shared. Lastly, Bill found great joy in Ham Radio, a passion he shared with his father. He skillfully built and refined his ham radio equipment and remained a dedicated operator for over 40 years. Bill appreciated beauty in all its forms and carried an artist's soul beneath the disciplined mind of a scientist and physician.

Yet remarkable as his academic and professional accomplishments were, those who knew William best will remember something far greater: the depth of his love for others. For 29 years, William was married to opera singer Barbara Wilkenson-Vlymen, Director of the Sierra Chamber Opera. Together, they performed public duets and shared a deep appreciation for music, remaining lifelong friends even after their marriage ended.

In later years, Bill found enduring love with his life partner Andrea Kelly, who became the center of his world. Bill possessed a rare gift for conversation. He would speak with anyone about nearly anything, moving effortlessly from humor to philosophy, from science to art. Yet of all the conversations he cherished throughout his life, none meant more to him than those shared with Andrea.

The same generosity that defined his personal relationships also shaped the way he moved through the world. Despite his extraordinary intellect and achievements, he remained remarkably humble. He gave freely of his time, wisdom, compassion, and resources, helping others quietly and abundantly, never seeking recognition in return.

To know Bill was to experience warmth, intelligence, humor, curiosity, and genuine humanity. He leaves behind a legacy measured not only by professional excellence, but by kindness, generosity, and love. His influence endures in the patients he cared for, his family members including sister Carolyn Stern, Nephews Joshua and Zachary. William also shared a unique, loving bond with his mother, Lillian Vlymen who passed away Thanksgiving morning, November 22, 2007. William enjoyed many enduring friendships with others who were blessed to have known him, and the countless lives he made better simply having crossed his path.

He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

In honor of his life and the compassion he showed so freely to others, the family invites all who knew him to commemorate his memory by performing an act of kindness for someone in need. Through those acts of generosity, his spirit and legacy will continue to live on.