William Emil Papke

William E. Papke, known as Bill or Buddy to family and friends, was born in Eureka, CA on May 23, 1933. Bill passed away on December 4, 2013 in his home of 54 years in Carmichael, CA, after battling lymphoma for about 2.5 years.

Bill was a loving brother to sisters Julia Demartini, Barbara Spellenberg, and Norma Dye, and a loving uncle to 15 nieces and nephews residing in Humboldt, Orange, and Yolo counties.

Bill graduated from Eureka High School in 1951, and received his B.A., teaching credential, and M.A. from Humboldt State College. He taught Physics at American River College for 36 years from 1957 to 1993.

Bill was very active in the Mother Lode Grotto of the National Speleological Society, in the Cordova Camera Club and in his church, St. John the Evangelist Church.

A funeral mass will be held at 11am at St. John the Evangelist Church, 5751 Locust Avenue, Carmichael, CA, 95608. A reception will follow the service in an adjoining hall.

In lieu of flowers, friends may make donations to:

Green Valley Hospice Foundation, a project of United Charitable Programs - a registered 501 (c) (3) public charity:

Green Valley Hospice

3009 Douglas Blvd., Suite 160

Roseville, CA 95661