William Paul Jenkins

William Paul Jenkins—known to everyone simply as Bill—passed away on August 23, 2026, at the age of 73 in his hometown of Riverside, California. Born on Mother’s Day, May 10, 1953, at Riverside Community Hospital, Bill lived a life defined by unparalleled charisma, an indomitable human spirit, and an unwavering optimism that left an indelible mark on everyone he met.

Bill grew up in Riverside alongside his siblings, Don, Steve, and Diane. A true native, Bill lived his whole life in Riverside, with the family moving several times as Riverside developed into the city it is. During his youth the family had lived on Virginia Place, Devonshire, Victoria, and Copperfield, but wherever they were one thing was constant: Riverside was their home. Growing up with his two brothers Don and Steve, the three Jenkins boys lived an active life from riding bicycles and dirt bikes, playing sports, and fishing in Montana with their father Bob Jenkins.

As a Riverside native Bill went to some of the most well known schools in the city. In his early years Bill attended St. Catherine’s, where he served as an altar boy and played in the Catholic Boys Baseball League. Like any true American Bill loved baseball, and that passion stayed with him throughout his life. It was at Matthew Gage Junior High, when he became a lifelong Angels fan, a tradition he passed on to his son Michael Jenkins making him a 3rd generation Angels fan. Bill’s passion for sports continued to grow during junior high where he began playing golf. As Bill graduated to Poly High School he continued to play sports, joining the varsity golf team and playing center for the junior varsity football team. Outside of school Bill enjoyed riding his Kawasaki 125 dirt bike and driving his green VW Bug, using the money he earned working as a caddie and busboy at Victoria Club for gasoline, which cost $0.25 a gallon. Never content being idle, even from a young age nobody could say that Bill didn’t live life to the fullest.

During his first year of college in New Mexico, just a month shy of his 19th birthday, a tragic diving accident resulted in a C6 spinal cord injury (SCI), rendering him quadriplegic. Undeterred and entirely unbound by his injury, Bill spent nine months recovering at Rancho Los Amigos before returning to his education. He graduated from the University of California, Riverside with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. Encouraged by his Uncle Bill Wilson, he then attended law school, launching a remarkable legal career.

Bill practiced law for over 40 years. He spent two decades working in-house for Western Financial (Westcorp)—a company co-founded by his father, Bob Jenkins, alongside Ernest Rady. In 1985, while working at one of the company's banks, Bill met his wife, Kay. He always claimed it was love at first sight. The two were married in September of 1996. Together, they raised two sons, Michael and Charles.

Always on the go and driven by a magnificent work ethic, a traditional retirement simply didn't suit Bill. In the early 2000s, he returned to the workforce, eventually finding a niche he truly loved: making courthouse appearances in downtown Riverside on behalf of other attorneys. These appearances allowed Bill to flex his legal wisdom, meet new people, and hear their stories. It also afforded him the chance to enjoy local favorites, especially the fried catfish at Gram’s BBQ. If Bill’s magnanimity wasn't enough to win over a courtroom, his beloved Golden Retriever service dog, Wyatt, certainly was. Bill and Wyatt were fixtures at the 14th Street courthouse, where Bill would playfully tell Wyatt to carry his own leash. The security guards always smiled when they saw an excited Golden Retriever waiting outside the doors, leading himself into the building.

In 2000, Bill and Kay moved to a new home with over an acre of land, allowing Bill to channel his lifelong love of the outdoors into a true passion for landscaping. Taking immense pride in the design, he transformed the expansive property into a perfect paradise, complete with walkways, pools, and beautiful trees.

Bill was a quintessential warrior. Beginning in 2015, he faced a series of complex health battles, persevering through multiple hospitalizations, surgeries, and infections. During this period Bill’s wife Kay and his son Michael provided extensive care at home for years, with things finally changing for the better in January 2018. As Bill’s wife began having health problems of her own, their son Michael stepped up to be his full-time caregiver. In the years that followed Bill and Michael became inseparable. Being together every day, enduring the challenges of chronic illness, their father-son relationship strengthened to an indestructible awe-inspiring bond, the likes of which you only see in the movies. Together, the two achieved the impossible, with Bill continuing to live a life full of adventure and happiness. From visiting museums, attending baseball games at Angel’s stadium, and even traveling with his brothers to Montana like they did when they were kids, Bill personified the unbreakable spirit of heroes. Bill’s positive outlook on life wasn’t dampened the slightest by his health battles, which was abundantly clear to everyone who met him.

When Bill was hospitalized in January 2026, Michael’s devotion to his father became a 24-hour shield. Michael was bedside with his father every single day advocating on his behalf and navigating the complex medical system to ensure Bill received the best care for his unique SCI needs. Throughout a grueling 8-month battle in the ICU, Bill endured unimaginable physical trials without a single complaint or ounce of self-pity. Even after a tracheostomy impaired his voice, his radiant smile and optimism never faded. He fought with everything he had to return to the home and the family he built.

On August 23, 2026, surrounded by the absolute devotion of his family, Bill's 8-month battle came to an end. He passed away peacefully, with Kay and Michael sitting a 36-hour vigil, holding his hand and stroking his hair. He is survived by his beloved wife, Kay, and his sons, Michael and Charles.

A service honoring Bill’s remarkable life will be held on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary, located at 7944 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92504.