William Edward Encinas

William (“Bill/Billy”) Edward Encinas was born in Pico Rivera, Calif. in 1954 to parents William Encinas, Sr. and Carole Schultz. As Bill and his brother David grew up, their father earned a master’s degree at the University of Southern California. He took them to visit campus often, fostering ambition and a commitment to lifelong learning. They spent much of their free time in nature, walking Los Angeles’ Griffith Park and camping in Arizona, traditions Bill later shared with his own family.

After Bill’s father married Rachel, the family moved to United Farm Workers headquarters at La Paz in Keene, Calif., home for Cesar Chavez’s movement to which Bill devoted much of his life. Bill lived there with his sisters Elaine, Helen, and Yvonne, and Victoria, who was born at La Paz. He attended Tehachapi High School with Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta’s children—Paul Chavez and Emilio, Vincent, and Fidel Huerta. As kids, they worked in the maintenance department and the mechanic shop, forging lifelong friendships and memories.

After high school, Bill returned to Pico Rivera where he became a carpenter, developing fond memories at his Uncle Lencho’s home. He often joked how everyone lived in that house at one time or another as they welcomed all needing a place to stay—an open-door policy Bill adopted for himself. Bill opened his own home to visitors from out of town and all who needed a helping hand getting back on their feet.

One day, out of the blue, Bill called Al Jogoleff to ask, “Can we be friends? We should drive up to La Paz together.” Thus, began weekly carpools from Pico Rivera to participate in activities at La Paz.

Bill could make anyone laugh and smile, lighting up a room—even among strangers. Having inherited his father’s joviality, he was the life of every party. People felt comfortable being themselves around him. His natural kindness and generosity opened doors. He was a natural organizer, something he learned at La Paz. These qualities would serve him well in later life.

Bill moved to San Diego to become a successful real estate developer. As senior vice president of commercial and industrial construction at McKellar McGowan, he oversaw the building of the San Diego Design Center. He started The Encinas Group on the 26th floor of a downtown San Diego skyscraper. He helped New Orleans rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, developing hundreds of affordable housing units in the Westbank. He prioritized hiring locals impacted by the hurricane, volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, and spent years appreciating the local culture while living in the French Quarter. Altogether, his projects helped transform disadvantaged communities in California, Louisiana, and Texas.

Bill undertook joint ventures that helped bring the Cesar Chavez Foundation’s affordable housing portfolio to Texas. Bill left an indelible mark in preserving Cesar Chavez’s legacy where he grew up at La Paz. He oversaw the meticulous rehabilitation, construction, and preservation of the Visitor Center and Memorial Garden at what is now the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument—the 398th unit of the National Park Service—including Cesar’s carefully preserved office/library and the burial place for Cesar and Helen Chavez. Then, Bill played an important role with the team that extensively rehabilitated the nearby 27,000 square foot Villa La Paz, converting a rambling structure first built in 1929 into a world-class education and conferencing center where Cesar educated farm workers on how to run their union. Later, Bill was part of the planning team that created the Master Plan for the Forty Acres, to guide restoration, construction, and preservation of the farmworker movement’s historical property and the UFW’s first home just west of Delano.

Father Joe Carroll married Bill and Annette in San Diego. Their daughter Juliana was born a few years later. The family spent many weeks each year visiting Arizona, as Bill had with his father, especially enjoying boating at “The River.”

Some described Bill’s backyard as a Home Depot because he would host every type of barbeque imaginable. He loved gathering people together–from his famous Sunday barbeques to Superbowl parties to inviting guests for UFC fights. His talent was knowing just the right mix of people to draw—usually everyone he talked with or ran into or those needing a friend. He loved brunch and bicycle cruises on the Mission Bay Boardwalk, chilaquiles in Old Town, sushi in Pacific Beach, menudo in Point Loma, a “splash” Downtown, and Shelter Island for an artichoke, pizza, happy hour tacos, and Wednesday night karaoke. Spending 40-plus years in San Diego, Bill was a pillar of the community. At some local spots, people even chanted his name when he arrived. He frequented the same Pico Rivera steakhouse his entire life and spent 40 years having lunch with the same people at the same places in Del Mar. The same went for tortillas in Bakersfield, barbeque in Texas, and oysters in New Orleans. If you knew Bill, chances are he brought you to these watering holes.

Always consistent and loyal, he knew the best places to go and the value of a familiar face. You knew it was the place to be if Bill was there. And if he ever listened to you vent about a dilemma, you were certain about walking away with your pot stirred, a humorous spin and laugh on your face over the predicament, and a plan to solve the problem—with Bill supporting you. You probably also heard him say, “Never give up.”

Bill leaves behind many friends and family, too many to name individually. Please remember him with a smile and celebrate him with acts of kindness and by finding unexpected joy in the simple things. Always a wonderful host, he has once again gone ahead to prepare the next gathering for the rest of us.

Please join us in celebrating his wonderful life and our fond memories on Friday, February 24, 2023. The service will be held at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Point Loma. You are encouraged to email photos, videos, and fond memories to [email protected]. If you are sending flowers, please coordinate with Beardsley-Mitchell in Ocean Beach. Alternatively, please consider making a donation in his name to the UFW, the Cesar Chavez Foundation, or San Diego Humane Society.