William Kit Bean

Bill, as he was known, was born in Oakland, California to Marie Skinner Bean and William Bean. On December 30, 1989, he married Laura (Laurie) Gabriel, and they remained married for almost 33 years.

Laurie and Bill met in a law class held on Saturday mornings. In his customary manner, Bill was always late to class, and Laurie noticed this very tall and very smart man. After finally chatting one day, Laurie began to listen for Bill’s voice loud laugh in the hallways, and she would coincidentally run into him. Finally, some weeks later they began dating, and by the second date, they decided to marry. Because of church rules, they waited six months and finally married between school semesters.

Bill attended the College of William & Mary for undergraduate studies, and the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America, where he obtained a degree in Law.

His adult work career began soon after college. He always said his favorite job was working at The Toymaker of Williamsburg, next to Colonial Williamsburg. However, his favorite job did not pay a real salary, so he went to work - temporarily - at the Social Security Administration. He held one of the least paid field jobs at the agency and worked his way up to a managerial position. Bill continued working for the agency in Maryland and the District of Columbia while attending night law classes.

Upon graduation from Law School, Bill began his legal career at the Department of Justice, litigating in the Tax division. However, as a newlywed, he quickly realized that the late office hours and constant stress and travel would keep him away from home, so he requested a transfer back to the Social Security Administration, at the Office of Hearings and Appeals.

He remained at OHA for several years, working his way from analyst to Appeals Officer and, at times, Acting Administrative Law Judge.

However, his greatest career opportunity came when he accepted a position at the Government Services Administration agency as the Special Counsel to the General Counsel.

When Bill made the transition from one agency to the other, the serious effects of Multiple Sclerosis appeared in his body for the first time. He was able to remain working for only a few years, until he was forced to retire from all employment.

Throughout the early part of his marriage to Laurie, Bill enjoyed traveling around the country and the world, but his favorite pastimes were staying home to read and work on computers (although he also hated them!).

Bill loved his pets - Heather his childhood dog, Jason, his cat during college, and after retirement, Lizzie, Katy, Lily, and Francesca the dogs, and Jelly Bean, the cat. An assortment of birds and fish also lived in our home throughout the years.

Bill loved God first and foremost and the Catholic faith he chose to follow. He also loved his mother-in-law Tere and his nephews Ryan and Joseph, and in a close three-way tie, his wife Laurie. His sister-in-law Carol, and his brother-in-law David, as well as his brother Robert and his wife Beverly were always close to his heart.

Bill loved all the neighborhood children who came to visit, eat candies, and play with toys in our home. Children made Bill exceedingly happy, but friends, neighbors, and family also filled Bill’s heart with joy and love.

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.

Et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Fidelium animae, per misericordiam Dei,

requiescant in pace.

~Amen~

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let Perpetual Light shine upon him. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest In Peace. Amen