William Gerald Rupp Jr

William G. Rupp, Jr., 81, of Lincoln, California, passed away on March 28, 2026, surrounded by his loving wife, Cheryl, and family.

Born in Illinois on September 27, 1944, Bill was the son of William G. Rupp, Sr. and Ina Ella Wieneke. The family relocated to Southern California in 1945, where Bill spent his childhood among the orange groves of Azusa and Covina and along the beaches of Los Angeles. The family later moved to Sacramento, where Bill graduated from Encina High School in 1962.

On March 9, 1967, Bill met the love of his life at the Liki Tiki on Fulton Avenue. Just seven months later, they married at Cupid’s Wedding Chapel on the Las Vegas Strip—a moment that marked the beginning of a devoted lifelong partnership. Bill worked at Lockheed Propulsion Company in Redlands, California, then in retail for several years before beginning a long and successful career in Purchasing at UC Davis Medical Center. After 25 years of service, he retired in 2005.

Bill was passionate, affectionate, and deeply sentimental. He lived loudly and loved generously. He had a genuine love of music and found great joy in listening to it and attending concerts. Sports were another great passion—he was a die‑hard fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers since childhood, the Sacramento Kings since they came to Sacramento, and the Pittsburgh Steelers since his son-in-law shared his love for the team. Throughout his life, Bill also gave generously of his time by coaching youth sports teams, both in the community and on the teams of his children and grandchildren.

Above all else, Bill dearly loved—and was deeply loved by—his children and grandchildren. He was fiercely proud of every one of them.

Bill is survived by his wife, Cheryl; his children, Traci Grainger and Terri Crowe; his son‑in‑law, Chad Crowe; his grandchildren, Ryan Crowe, Aliena Grainger, Natalie Crowe, Nicholas Grainger, Jacqueline Grainger, and Samantha Crowe; and many extended family members and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ina and Bill Rupp; his sister and brother‑in‑law, Arlene and Bill Wagner; his in‑laws, Boots and Gene Bailey; and his beloved friend, Ron Campos.

A celebration of life will be held on April 8th from 2-4pm in the Solarium at the Orchard Creek Lodge in Sun City Lincoln Hills.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) or the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).