Obituary – William Charles Dolan
After a long and fruitful life, William (Bill) Charles Dolan passed away peacefully on September 7, 2018 at the age of 84 years. He is survived by his wife Fran of 55 years; four sons: Michael, Peter, Bill (Kristin), and Matthew; daughter, Colleen Dolan Clune (Brian); four grandchildren: Jenna Dolan, Nicholas Dolan, Coral Clune, William Clune; sister, Judy Dolan Pruett (Steve); brother, Chris Dolan; nieces Jackie Dolan Stockman and Christine Dolan Saunders; nephews Sean Dolan, Michael Pruett, and Patrick Pruett; and predeceased by sister, Anne Dolan Smith (Roy, deceased) and brother, Jack Dolan (Sami).
Bill was a proud native of San Diego, in fact he proudly displayed a plaque to honor the fact that he was born in San Diego. He served our country as a member of the Air Force from 1950-1954. He then began his career in real estate while also attending school at night to get his college degree. It was during this time that he met his bride to be, Fran, while she was attending the University of San Diego. Bill graduated from San Diego State University in 1963, the first graduating class to have a major in Real Estate, and then married Fran later that same year.
Bill started in real estate in the late 1950’s, working his way up from the ground floor at the Percy H. Goodwin Co. under the mentorship of Ewart W. Goodwin. He was promoted to Vice President of Property Management and was featured as “Man of the Year from Goodwin” in the San Diego Magazine. In the 1960’s, Bill with partners, Peter Peckham & Ed Sibbett, joined Investcal Realty Corporation, where Bill eventually became president of the company. His motto that he would share with everyone was, “You go to sleep with a dream and wake up with a purpose”.
Before his 5 children came on the scene, Bill obtained his pilot’s license with a multi-engine instrument rating. He traveled across the U.S. with Fran flying, Cesnas and Muskateers. He also enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing and dove hunting in El Centro. After his five children were born, Bill spent most his time enjoying more activities with his kids, including YMCA Indian Guides, trips to the beach, attending sporting events such as baseball, basketball, soccer, and football, school functions, and movie nights with endless bowls of popcorn.
In the 1970’s Bill was famous for taking his family on vacations, most notably the summer trips across the United States in the family motorhome, when he monikered the family on his CB radio with the call sign “The Traveling Zoo”. He sought out his favorite KOA campground as the family arrived in a new city on the journey, somehow keeping all five children and wife engaged with contagious optimism throughout the chaotic adventures.
Later in life Bill took up skiing and golf as hobbies, which also allowed him to spend more time with his children. He traveled the world and would collect a golf ball with the Club logo from every course he played along the way. He joined the Knights of Columbus due to their founding principles of charity, unity, and fraternity; and the R&A Society, a large and rakish band of prominent San Diego gentlemen that explored the city. He also founded the AHAC (Americans Helping Asian Children) Foundation with his friend, Dr. Bruce Johnson. Their mission is to provide services and equipment for children in Asian countries who are underprivileged by virtue of physical or mental disability, poverty or absence of family. Bill and Bruce took many trips to Vietnam to lead teams that delivered medical supplies and worked on a multitude of projects including scholarships, bikes, water wells, bridges, schools, and thousands of hearing aids.
“Papa” you will be missed by all with whom you have interacted. You were the rock and foundation of our family, always encouraging everyone to do their best, and never to rest on one’s laurels. You were always planning ahead for the next family trip, holiday event, or Sunday night dinner, while balancing this with running your company, Investcal Realty, and starting your next home project. Your quick one liners, dry sense of humor, and incredibly positive outlook will be remembered by all of us, as well as 1 more favorite saying of yours “You don’t regret the things you do, you regret the things you DON’T do”.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William Charles Dolan, please visit our
Heartfelt Sympathies Store.