Bill Bain

Bill welcomed my husband and me warmly into their home for an overnight stay and warm dinner with his family when we needed help making flight connections on our way home from New Zealand to Utah after our mission in 2007. It felt so good to be with family again, so near the home where I grew up in Berkeley, and enjoy renewing my family ties with my dear cousin Louise and Bill’s family. What a blessing that was!

I was fortunate to serve as the Relief Society president when Bill was our bishop in Fremont. He was always available, compassionate, and caring about those in need in our ward. Whether it was a physical, financial, or spiritual need, he was always quick to respond, advise on the best way to go forward, and give support!

He was a strong yet quiet leader, and you always knew he was listening and cared. He lifted people up to see their own potential and let them thrive.

Bill touched so many lives through his leadership, but also in so many other quiet ways.

He will be missed here, but it’s so comforting to know we will see him again and that he is an eternal friend!

Bill will truly be missed. He was always so present when talking to people. I felt like he was genuinely interested in what I had to say. Because he was. Always focused on the individual. I loved his smile and genuine deep laugh. I’ll always remember the backpacking trip to Yosemite. He lived a great life, and the world is better for him having been in it.

I have always had so much respect for Bill. It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen him. I believe it was when Louise and Bill came home from their mission. We are saddened of his passing and know that he is doing what the Lord wants him to do. We are living in St. George Utah now and we just couldn’t fly out because my pain level is very very high and I’m really pretty much at home now Michael and his family live in St. George. Also, we did go on Zoom. It was absolutely the most outstanding beautiful celebration Bill is so proud. I’m sure your girls and Eric are incredible. It doesn’t seem that long ago that they we’re all so young and now their children are young but growing fast Louise you looked wonderful on the zoom your talk was beautiful Kathy and I really miss you and Bill and always have. I know this is sad for you Louise, but your testimony will get you through this and I’m so grateful that he did not suffer long. I remember when I had so many spine surgeries and the kids were getting ready to go to Tijuana and I couldn’t do a lot, but I was in charge of getting all the paint for them to take to Tijuana and all the colors. They were pretty wild. You take care of yourself and tell the kids that they did a beautiful memory of their father and we love you.
Love Larry and Kathy

Bill was always concerned with the youth. In 1998 I was privileged to go with him with the youth Tijuana Mexico to build a house in an orphanage. He wanted to use to have the experience of doing the impossible. It was a goal so far beyond their teenage thinking that when they accomplished it, they could just be proud of their efforts and doing good. It took a year for the use to gather the wood and the paint and everything. A lot of it was from construction sites where they had given the used lumber to the youth for this project. The youth had to clean up the boards, remove nails, scrape, dry, cement, etc. to make them usable. It took about a year for the youth to clean up the materials and then to build sections of the walls and the roof and etc.. It was done in many backyards. The pieces were numbered and color-coded so that they could take apart the lumber take it to Mexico and then rebuild those same walls.
One of the most gratifying experience of my life to see the youth accomplished what they thought was impossible, they did it. Bill had the contacts and found the resources to make things happen. He loved the youth and was willing to do anything to help them.
More Mexico House photo: https://photos.app.goo.gl/rrYeqMgqQMxho3vNA

Dear Bain Family, I had the privilege of working with your husband and dad, Bill, for many years at Essex Property Trust. Bill was truly one of the kindest and hardest-working men I have ever known. No matter how stressful the work environment became, he always remained positive, steady, and thoughtful toward everyone around him.

I will always fondly remember his stories about the Scouts, his many adventures, and most importantly, the love and pride he had for all of you — his family. He spoke of you often, and it was always clear how deeply he cared.

Bill is also the person who taught me that almonds are actually pronounced with a silent “L” — “amonds.” It still makes me smile every time I think about it. His resiliency was truly remarkable.

After his heart attack, we moved his office to an area where we could always see him. I will never forget the smile and laugh he had when he returned to the office after his recovery, only to find that he now had three men and three ladies watching him around the clock. He was simply too special for us to take any chances. We needed him, and we wanted to be there for him.

Bill will forever be missed, but never forgotten. His kindness, humor, strength, and spirit left a lasting impression on all of us who had the honor of knowing him. God bless you all, and please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

With heartfelt sympathy, Deanna Chalfant

Bill Bain was a steady, compassionate presence in our community. His efforts to address homelessness sparked deeper dialogue, greater awareness, and meaningful action. He also inspired many of us, myself included, to put caring into action.

Guided by faith, kindness, and a belief in every person’s dignity, Bill moved toward those in need with an open heart and a helping hand. His absence is deeply felt.

He leaves a legacy of a life lived in the spirit of “love your neighbor as yourself.”

“In all my years doing this, I’ve never seen somebody so calmly step off the side of a cliff.”— 4th year Girls Camp rappelling.

Five minutes later, my left foot stayed planted while my right foot kept moving, and suddenly I was doing the splits on the side of a 50-foot rock wall, and so “calm” after all.

I looked up and saw my safety, Bill Bain, slide and firmly grip the rope. In that moment, I thought, Oh no… this is it. I’m going to die.

At 6’2” and 240 pounds, I had been skeptical from the start — I’m much bigger than all the other girls and definitely bigger than Bill. I was shaking like a leaf as he guided me step by step the rest of the way down. But after what felt like forever, I finally made it safely to solid ground.

That was Bill. Whether he was serving as a bishop, camp aide, scout leader, or simply my friend’s dad, he showed up with the same calm strength, steady presence, and quiet love for others.

Bill is the epitome of a good neighbor– and will forever be remembered by me and others as a kind man who saw the humanity in everyone. When others may judge, he leaned in to help, always seeing our unhoused community as his neighbors. I feel so honored to have known him and know that his compassion and generosity was infectious.

I enjoyed working with Brother Bill Bain in the Elders Quorum Presidency and admire his commitment to the Christian community in the Fremont area. A man always ready to serve his fellow beings.

In 2024, while my wife and I were serving a mission in Japan, we received a letter from him checking on us, showing he remembered us and cared for us. We learned from him about the changes in the bishophric as well as him and his wife Louise driving to Texas to chase the eclipse in March of that year and returning from a family reunion in Thermopolis, Wyoming.

Will miss his greetings on Sundays for sure.

We moved to Hayward from San Mateo in 2010.

As I met members in the Hayward Stake, I was able to rub shoulders with Bro Bill Bain. He always had a smile. He would visit our ward on speaking assignments on the High Council.

Then I remember him serving with his wife in Mexico as missionaries.

Bill was a light to the world, armed with a smile. He will be missed.

Brother Bain gave of himself to help those less fortunate. He was an inspiration for life lessons to become a better person.

He shared a simple love with the needy.

Brother Bain was a blessing to all.