LAKEPORT, Calif. – Bill was born in Brisbane, Calif., and grew up in neighboring San Mateo, Calif., with his mother, Sandra, father, James, and 3 brothers, Richard, James (Jim) and Donald (Don).

He was a talented musician who began playing music as a child. After high school, he went on to play trumpet for the US Army, as well as play “Taps” for his fallen brothers in arms at many funerals. Throughout his life, his house was filled with the sounds of the music he loved to play.

Bill became a father at 19 years old, with the birth of his oldest son, Anthony (Tony). The following year, his daughter, Celia (Cece) was born.

After being honorably discharged from the US Army, he moved back to San Mateo where he worked in construction and raised his family.

In 1989, his next son, William Jr. (Will) was born, and a few short years later, in 1995, his youngest son, Jacob (Jake).

Weekends at the Vann house were regularly spent playing music with his uncles while his kids watched and sang with him. He also enjoyed playing video games with his three boys, and even coached Will’s little league team for a year.

Even when things were tough, he always made sure his kids knew the value of a good day’s work. As they grew older, he loved teaching them how to play trumpet, guitar, bass, shoot and respect firearms, as well as how to fix their cars and repair things around the house.

In his later years, Bill moved to Lakeport, Calif., and went on to volunteer with the Lake County Military Funeral Honors Team, playing “Taps” for fallen soldiers locally and throughout the country.

His last time away from home was at the 100 Nights of Taps held at the Gettysburg National Cemetery on Aug. 28, 2018.

In Lakeport, he finally found his soul mate, Susan French. He was such a proud husband. His catch-phrase becoming, “I love you, past forever,” crediting her with helping him overcome the demons that had haunted him in his 30s and 40s.

Together, Susan and Bill created a loving home for their now, bigger family. Welcoming her children as his own, he now had four more children, Christy, Alicia, Ian and Craig Jr., and a combined total of eight grandchildren, Leila, Charlotte, Breeana, Madison, Ireland, Brooklynn, Maximus and MacKenzie. To his grandkids, he was known as Papa, and this was a role he was meant for. He loved, once again, hearing the sound of kids at play once again in his home.

With family relationships finally mended, he greatly looked forward to his twilight years with Susan, and the rest of his family. Sadly, this was not meant to be, as a late lung cancer diagnosis took Bill from us on Monday, Dec. 10, 2018 – The Day the Music Died. Bill was 56 years young. After a hard-fought battle, he passed away, surrounded by family and friends at Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport.

Bill is survived by his wife, their children and grandchildren, and his three brothers. He will be remembered for his caring nature, always willing to help anyone in any way he can.

Military funeral honors will be held at Veteran’s Circle at Hartley Cemetery on Saturday, Jan. 5, at 1 p.m.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.