CPT WILLIAM (BILL) STEVEN SILVA

On October 26, 2020, William Steven Silva, dear brother and beloved uncle and great-uncle, died at the age of 74, from tonsillar cancer. Bill was born on May 31, 1946 in Oakland, CA. He spent his early years in Northern California, then moved to Southern California, where he graduated from high school. Later, he received his bachelor’s degree in Cinema from the University of Southern California Film School. Bill began his active military duty in the U.S.Army in 1967. After completing basic training, he attended and graduated from Officer Candidate School as a 2ndLieutenant. In December of 1967, Bill joined his class at USAAVNS (United States Army Aviation School –Fixed-Wing). His flight training, over eight months, took him from Ft. Stewart, GA to Ft. Rucker, AL. After completing his flight training, Bill was ordered to serve a combat tour with the 1stAviation Brigade, in South Vietnam. Bill’s in-country orders assigned him to the 219thReconnaissance (Recon) Airplane Company headquartered at Camp Holloway, Pleiku in the Central Highlands. Aviators of the 219th, which was known as the “Headhunters” and later named the 219th Aviation Company, flew single-engine, fixed-wing, O-1 “Bird Dog” observation airplanes.


Bill earned several decorations during his combat tour and was next assigned to a post near Washington D.C. where he completed his active duty in the Army. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Captain on July 4, 1971.After Bill’s military service, he had a varied and diverse sales career; employed by Sears, Johnson & Johnson, Frito Lay, and Pitney Bowes. He became an elite runner, competing in numerous marathons, including finishing in the top 10% of the Boston Marathon. He loved, lived, and ran at the beach for many years, inspired by the sun, sand, and the beautiful views. He enjoyed traveling, especially to Italy, and could cook a mean red sauce, and create a Caesar salad dressing from scratch. He was a King’s hockey and USC football fanatic and could often be heard shouting at the TV during games. His true loves—the many Labradors: his ‘family’—that had been part of his later life: Morgan, Molly, Daisy, Lola, Bob, England, Murphy, Tracker, Henry, and Buddy, to name a few. He was a master wordsmith, an impressive orator, could mesmerize a room with his story telling and impersonations, and keep a crowd in stitches with his sarcastic and irreverent humor. Straightforward, a straightshooter, and no gray areas—you always knew where you stood with Bill.


Bill is survived by his two sisters: Lorie and LouAnn (husband: Joseph), two nephews: Jeremy (wife: Meski and one great-niece: Joy); and Sean; two nieces: Chelsea (husband: Alex) and Hannah (husband: James, and two great-nephews: Rowan and Callan). He is survived also, by ‘lifelong brothers’: Paul, Greg, Dave, Lorenzo, Jim, and Mike, whose heartfelt memories shared with us, have broadened our admiration for our multi-faceted brother. Arrangements for the scattering of his ashes in Venice, Italy, will be made at a later date. n celebration of Bill’s life, watch an old classic, toast to him with a Negroni, enjoy a dish of pasta and a panna cotta for dessert. He would’ve loved that. In lieu of flowers or donations: call someone you haven’t spoken to in years, tell someone you love them, practice gratitude and forgiveness, pay someone a compliment, mend fences with family –leave nothing unsaid.
Remembrances are appreciated and welcomed:[email protected]  and/or  [email protected]