William Heinz Frank, 76, died peacefully in Rancho Mirage, California on January 24, 2024 with his wife and daughters at his side.

Bill is survived by Carol Frank, his wife of 52 years, daughter Amy and son-in-law Jeff Bumgardner, daughter Catherine Swift, and grandchildren Harry and Robson Swift and Lyra Bumgardner. He was preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Hillary Frank. He is also survived by his brothers Richard (Linda) and Karl (Jeanne) Frank, brother-in-law Robert (Sally) Lewis and many nephews, nieces and their children. 

Bill was born in San Francisco in 1947 to Jessie and Heinz Frank, and was the youngest of their three sons. He attended schools in El Cerrito before studying Psychology at UC Davis, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He taught a variety of courses and coached football at El Cerrito High School. Bill eventually left teaching and went on to own Frank Commercial Real Estate.

He received many honors over the years, one of which was during his time as quarterback at El Cerrito High School. He was awarded the sought after Contra Costa County Back of the Year award. In 1964, he was honored as a top scholar-athlete by the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame.

He served as an officer, vice president and later president of the West Contra Costa Board of Realtors. He was a Certified Commercial-Investment Member (CCIM), and taught CCIM courses.

Bill was always active in the community, including Rotary. He was a Paul Harris fellow, served as president of Pinole Rotary Club and eventually helped form the Hercules Rotary Club.

Of the many groups he was active in, the YMCA was always part of his life. His journey started at a young age when his mother enrolled him and his brothers in YMCA programs. Although he was too young to go to Camp Ravencliff in Humboldt County at age 7, Bill was allowed to go because of his older brothers. He later became a staff member and eventually camp director. Bill helped raise funds for numerous YMCA programs, including to help build the Hilltop YMCA. In 2002, he was awarded the Fred Breen Humanitarian Award in honor of his many contributions. In later years, he enjoyed participating in Ravencliff work parties. Tex (his camp name) loved the peacefulness of fishing in the Eel River and being surrounded by the majestic Redwood trees. 

Starting as a young boy in his father’s shop, Bill learned enough to be a handyman, plumber, electrician and more from many people he met along his life journey, including Fred Breen. His skills allowed him to add a two-story addition to his home in Hercules. He was also able to help the Early Childhood Mental Health Program move to a larger facility in Richmond, where to this day the maintenance room is still labeled as “Bill’s Office”. During summers, he very much enjoyed working on his and other families’ cabins at Echo Summit. He always said “No job too small - some may be too big.” 

Bill served as President of the Echo Summit Permittee Association where he helped obtain an appraisal that better reflected the value of all the cabins in the tract. He also served as President for the North Echo Summit Water Association. 
Bill enjoyed backpacking with friends, hiking, photography, fishing, cooking for family and friends, playing golf and helping others improve their score.  He loved cats and cared for many throughout his life. He also cheerfully accepted his singular male role in a house of females - animals and family. Bill was patient, a great listener, always kind and will be missed by all whose lives he so positively impacted.