"Bill Patterson was a devoted public servant whose exemplary leadership and thoughtful voice strengthened our board and enhanced our ability to serve our East Bay community, EBMUD Board President Marguerite Young said in a statement announcing Patterson's passing."
"His passion for people, his integrity, and his readiness to work collaboratively will be deeply missed by his colleagues, staff and the many residents whose lives he touched."
"Bill's legacy is woven into the fabric of EBMUD and the East Bay, said Valerie Lewis, EBMUD Director for Ward 6. He was a mentor, a bridge builder, a staunch believer in the power of informed decision making, and a fierce advocate for the people he served. His compassion and conviction inspired all of us to lead with heart, courage, and purpose."
William Bill Patterson, an Oakland civil rights leader and former East Bay Municipal Utility District director, died at the age of 94 on Tuesday. He was the first Black director at EBMUD and served on the EBMUD board from 1997 until his retirement in 2024, representing Oakland's Ward 6. He championed equity for the water agency's 1.4 million customers, guided public health efforts to address lead in schools, and promoted environmental sustainability for the Mokelumne watershed. He was a three-term president of the Oakland NAACP and was widely remembered as a mentor, bridge builder, and staunch advocate for the East Bay's Black community. Colleagues praised his integrity, collaborative spirit, and compassion, and Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee described him as a positive force in the lives of generations of Oakland youth.
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