Bill (William) George MacCracken

Date of Death: March 18, 2018

Make a Memorial Donation

Bill (William) George MacCracken, 68

With Bill’s characteristic faith, dignity and grace, he peacefully passed away at home on Sunday, March 18, 2018 with his loving wife of 43 years by his side.

He was born to George William and (Margaret) Virginia (McGlumphy) MacCracken on March 13, 1950 in Berkeley, California. Bill graduated from El Cerrito High School in 1968. He attended San Jose State University with an interest in physical science and aeronautics.

When he graduated from high school he worked on the construction site for the Libby Dam 17 miles north of the town of Libby, Montana. He married Elsie Carol Lewis on January 19, 1975, in Oakland, California.

Bill worked at the University of California at Berkeley in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering for 29 years and retired in March 2009 as a Principal Development Engineer.

Bill was preceded in death by his second cousin Alex Tagliatela; cousin Steve Vogt; aunt Renate and uncle Bill McGlumphy; father, George W. MacCracken; sister, Joy (MacCracken) Mickens; aunt Jo and uncle George Vogt; mother Virginia MacCracken; cousin Margo Vogt; aunt Juanita and uncle Max Coons; grandmother Margaret McGlumphy.

He is survived by his adoring wife, Elsie and his two loving sons and their life partners, Sean and Josie, and Darren MacCracken and wife, Valerie Rivard MacCracken along with his cherished cousins Janie Vogt, Liz (Martha) Arnold, Candi Headly, and Katie McGlumphy.

Our family would like to thank VITAS Hospice Home Care.

Bill lived a shorter life than we wish, but he did live a full life on his terms. He was a man of great character. He was consistently gentle, thoughtful, patient, sharing, uplifting and sentimental. A friendship with him was rewarding on many levels. We all dearly miss Bill.

A celebration of his life with loving friends, students, colleagues and family took place near the UC Berkeley campus on March 24, 2018. A private burial service will be held this coming August at the family cemetery in Sula, Montana.

Memorials in Bill’s name are suggested to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Research Foundation.

Make a Memorial Donation

There are no events scheduled.

Bill (William) George MacCracken, 68 With Bill’s characteristic faith, dignity and grace, he peacefully passed away at home on Sunday, March 18, 2018 with his loving wife of 43 years by his side. He was born to George William and (Margaret) Virginia (McGlumphy) MacCracken on March 13, 1950 in Berkeley, California. Bill graduated from ElContinue Reading

See Condolences

Hi Elsie. I am so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. You know Bill and I went back since we were toddlers, elementary, junior high, high school and beyond. I am just finding out through Don Wilson who found his obituary as we have been looking for people who have not yet responded for our 50th High School Reunion in October of this year. I had been looking for Bill by googling his name, but beyond seeing you still lived in your same E.C. home could not find anything more. I did not find either of you on Facebook. Bill didn't come to many reunions but I was hoping you both might come to this one. I remember visiting you when your boys were small and talking to Bill on the phone not too long after we moved to Southern Ca. He was always a special friend who had a special place in my heart, as did you, his true and only soul mate. We drifted apart as happens in our busy lives but not in our memories. I still have told stories of our advenures through childhood and teens to friends, about my friend, Bill. I remember how relieved I was when you re-enteted his life after a brief separation, after his sister had passed away. You were his rock, his true love since Jr. High School, and the family you created with your sons, his forever home. I would so love to see you at our reunion, but if not, maybe I can come by and visit with you when I am in E.C. in Oct. I rarely get up any more as our children have all settled in SoCal, but, I am still close friends with Joanne Siqueira Wilson and Don Wilson. I am saddened that Bill is no longer in this life, but he is always alive in my memories. I hope you are moving forward after such a great loss. If you want to contact me, you can, at my e-mail address. If not, just know that I am thinking of you and your family. With love and condolences, Ruthie Morgan Rutte

Bill will certainly be missed. I worked with him at U C Berkeley for a number of years and he was always a great guy to work with. Heck, he even let me drive the fork lift once. No worries it was for a very short distance. Happy trails Bill. I wish your family and friends peace.

Dear Elsie: I worked with Bill at the RFS for many years. He was a gracious, lovely man with a great sense of humor. My deepest condolences. Claire

Our deepest sympathy's to the MacCracken Family with the passing of Bill a friend of mine so many years ago. He was a kind spirit and truly loved his family. I was fortunate to know Bill and he will be in my thoughts. Sincerely, Scott & Gabriele McNally

Elsie: I am so sorry to hear about Bill. Words can't express the sorrow I feel for you. Please take care of yourself. John Rubin

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.