William P Diamond "Bill/Vasilis"'s Obituary
A beloved father, grandfather, husband, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 29, 2024, at the age of 88 in San Diego, CA.
Born in San Diego on February 22, 1936, Bill was a man of unwavering kindness, dedication, and integrity who touched countless lives throughout his journey on this earth.
Bill spent his entire life in San Diego. He attended San Diego High School, where he played football and sang in the choir. He later went on to San Diego State University, earning a Bachelor of Applied Science in Social Sciences with a Minor in Music in 1960. His career spanned nearly 40 years as a high school and adult education teacher. While he taught a wide range of subjects, he was most passionate about American Civics. Bill understood the importance of history in shaping the future. He was also responsible for educating many of the safe drivers on the roads of San Diego, as Driver's Education was another of his favorite subjects.
Above all, Bill's greatest pride was his family. He strived to create a home filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. As a father, he was a constant source of wisdom, encouragement, and unconditional love. He instilled in his children the importance of community, education, and giving back. His positivity was evident in his words, his big bear hugs, and his full belly laughter. He was also a steadfast friend and confidant, always ready with a warm smile, a listening ear, or a helping hand.
Bill was a pillar of the San Diego Greek community and a lifelong member of Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church. Deeply proud of his Greek heritage, he was dedicated to preserving the language and traditions for future generations. He believed the church was the heart of the community and worked tirelessly to keep Greek customs vibrant, especially through programs for both youth and seniors. Bill's dream was to establish an accredited Greek language academy where students could become fluent in both Greek and English. He also envisioned providing housing and transportation for senior citizens.
Bill's passions extended beyond education. He loved hunting and studying the history and evolution of firearms. He also enjoyed tending to his fruit trees and roses, helping Greek immigrants obtain their driver's licenses as a translator at the DMV, participating in his weekly "Coffee Club," and being an active member of AHEPA. Bill also volunteered his time cooking at the San Diego Greek Festival and advocating for Greek Orthodox youth programs like GOYA and Greek Folk Dance at General Assembly meetings.
In his later years, Bill's greatest joy was his three granddaughters. Always concerned with their well-being, he affectionately referred to himself as "Mother Hen." He took an active interest in their education, sports, and cultural activities, and he attended as many of their events and performances as he could, watching others via live streams when he couldn't be there in person. He found immense joy in the simple pleasures of life, particularly when surrounded by his loved ones.
Bill leaves behind a lasting legacy of compassion, resilience, and a deep commitment to family, friends, and community.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Liberty Diamond, his younger brother, George, and nephew Noel Diamond. He is survived by his wife, Soula; daughters Liberty "Libby," Rebecca (Mike), Victoria "Vickie", and Patricia "Patty" (Charlie); granddaughters Amalia "Ama," Efrosini "Effie," and Vasiliki "Kiki"; and nieces Elaina and Katie, along with extended family members and a wide circle of friends. He is also fondly remembered by the members of AHEPA Chapter 223.
The following services have been scheduled. Trisagion service: Sunday, December 22, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at Clairemont Mortuary, 4266 Mount Abernathy Avenue, San Diego, CA 92117. Funeral service: Monday, December 23, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, 3655 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92103.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bill's honor to Saint Spyridon Greek School (3655 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92103) and/or Saint Sophia Camp (1324 S. Normandie Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90006).
William "Bill/Vasilis" Diamond will be dearly missed but forever remembered for the love he gave, the lessons he imparted, and the light he brought to the lives of all who knew him.
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