Graham, William Benjamin Bill 20 Aug 1992 Click on the thumbnail below to enlarge. If your browser shrinks the full obituary image to fit within the browser window, you may need to click on the image one more time to display its full size. 20 Aug 1992 Please add a message of remembrance to the guestbook for this obituary. Click the button below to add your thoughts. Sister Helen Damnation Austin, Texas 30 Dec 2017 Billy actually taught me what it was to be a human being, and also a divine spiritual being. He revealed to me what I really was, as well as what I should be, when, one day, on seeing a horrible wreck, he insisted we stop and help the victims, immediately covering them in the brand new blankets he had bought at Macy's for Christmas presents for friends, to soak up the blood and protect them, keep them warm and guarding over the victims until the ambulance came, from would-be thieves who tried to steal from their pockets and rob them of their boots, Billy insisted that he and I watch over them and protect them from harm until the EMS arrived. 11 months later, we saw them on crutches, the foot of one victim that had been hanging by a mere sinew of muscle, after the accident had been almost completely amputated, had been surgically sewn, reattached back on, successfully; we ran into them on Castro street, alive and well. The next time I saw someone hit by a car. I stopped and helped immediately, because I learned from Billy, that's what compassionate people do. I will always love and be grateful to Billy, Rest in Peace, Reverend Mother, thank you, I love you. Tom Burtch San Francisco, CA 23 Jun 2010 Bill was a member of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus from July, 1979 until March, 1992 for a total of 41 concert seasons. Bill often led the Chorus in meditation when needed. I remember one rehearsal where it was announced that we had lost three First Tenors (the smallest section of the group) in one week. Bill took over the rehearsal to help us all process our shared grief. He also led the group in a "focus" before performances. He participated in the historic 1981 National Tour of nine cities in the United States. The tour is credited with being the creative force behind the formation of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses which as of 2010 has more than 170 member choruses with over 7,000 singers worldwide. He last sang as a member of the Bass section. The Chorus refers to these members who are no longer able to sing with the group as members of the "Fifth Section." They are listed Chorus programs and on the group's website: https://www.sfgmc.org/about_fifth.shtml Brian Street Vancouver, B.C. 26 Apr 2012 Bill - thanks for providing me with a home when I first landed in San Francisco in June 1990 and showed-up at the SFGMC rehearsal looking for a place to live. I still have the nice fisherman's sweater you gave me, which reminds me of your kindness whenever I wear it. Brian Copyright © 2009. No part of this database may be copied or reproduced without permission.