R.E. 'Bill' Saleme
R.E. Bill Saleme April 1926 - September 2008 Our dear husband, pop, daddy, papa, friend and colleague, R.E. 'Bill' Saleme fought a courageous battle with lymphoma, passing in his family's arms on September 19th. Bill was a self-made successful general engineering contractor in all phases of construction in the Bay Area. He was born in San Mateo in 1926 to immigrants from Italy and Lebanon, Nilda and R.E. Saleme Sr, owner of White Cat shoe polish factory in S. San Francisco. During the Depression, Bill supported his parents by selling apples on the steps of SF General Hospital. At 15, he ran services stations in the Mission District and managed parking at Union Square and Cow Palace. At 22, he was a quantity survey estimator and became the contractor for the Broadway Tunnel Repairs, San Rafael and Potrero Hill Tunnel Collapse, high rise apartments in Pacific Heights, and settlement repairs for the Great Highway Sewer Expansion Project. He built the landing for the Hover Craft, when he brashly kissed Princess Margaret, which pleased her and dismayed security. Bill served in the US Coast Guard and US Marines during WWII from 1943-45, with his dog Gizmo (whose pups made the Stars & Stripes), discharged as a reservist in 1949 as a radioman and electrician. Bill earned several California state licensed general contractor license classifications. He owned and successfully managed several construction companies as an individual and with his wife and sons. Always learning, he published articles and earned credentials from technical courses at CSM, UCLA, and USC. Two days before he passed on, he checked his email. By age 82, he was a deeply experienced and respected industry expert witness for California's State Contractor License Board, doing investigations for the State Attorney General's office. His imprint is left on many Bay Area buildings, including retrofit and landslide retainment structures following the storms of '55-56 and '81-'83, the Loma Prieta '89 Earthquake in Santa Cruz, Portola Valley, Los Trancos and the Oakland Hills fire. He served as senior vice president and corporate real estate division manager for Bay View Federal Savings and Loan from 1971-1983. In 2006, he received CA Governor honors for 50 years of general engineering construction. He was a loved colleague, an advocate against unlicensed contractors, and an expert in his field. He planned and built our homes, and rode his Harley until age 79. When he whistled, we came running. Bill is survived by his beautiful, doting wife Barbara of 35 years. Bill was a complete mate, lover and confidant, dedicating his life to loving her, Cisco Dog, and raising his family. He leaves also beloved Sister De, best mates Bob and Donna and their sons, adoring sister-in-law Lesley, son William and wife Lucie and grandchildren Shawn and Charissa, with Bill's sister Lori; daughter Kelly with husband David and grandchildren Ryan, Austin and Cole; son Matthew with wife Kimberly and grandchildren Gabriel and Jacob; youngest daughter Daviya; and British cousins Bronwyn and Neil; and his surrogate son Mel, and neighbor little Laura. He joins and leaves many friends and colleagues. Throughout his life Bill was a giving man with a BIG heart. He mentored many, and gave us a good time, and offered many tools, money and presents. Proud, forgiving and strong, he truly is the rock, compass and north star of our lives.
03/31/09 Submitted by: 
James Demerin
