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William Reily Bruce (1932 - 2026) Bill Bruce, aged 93, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2026. Born on October 19, 1932, in Omaha, Nebraska, Bill’s life was a testament to love, family, and friendships. Bill lost the love of his life Mercedes after 59 years of marriage in 2020. He is survived by his son Bill Bruce (Roberta), daughter Rachel Bruce (David). Grandchildren Laurel Gomes (Niko), Carlie Lewis (Brent), Mackey West (Melissa), Sonny West, great grand Children Elise and Irene Gomes. Bill was blessed with loving nieces Debbie Finley, Valerie Brown, Kelly Johnstone and Lisa Hoffman and many extended family members. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Edna Salisbury and Altis Bruce, and step Father Clyde Salisbury, and his beloved sister Edna Moeller and brother-in-law Jerry Moeller. Later in life Bill was lucky to know his half-sisters Janice Hoffman and Annette Consigny. His formative years were spent in Red Oak, Iowa. He was the grandson of the town doctor and he, his little sister and Mom all lived in his grandparent’s home. Bill enlisted in the Navy after high school and spent his service oversees in Japan as a radio operator. Following his naval service he spent time in Chicago at various jobs and several years later moved out West to San Francisco. It was here that he began his pursuit of painting. San Francisco at the time was a cultural hot bed of creative arts. He needed a day job to support his painting and became a postal carrier. It was during this time that he met his future wife Mercedes on a blind date. With a growing family to take care of, it wasn’t long before they followed Bill’s sister and her family to Fresno. Fresno became their home for the next 60 years. Following a short stint with the US Postal Service in Fresno, Bill was hired on at Fireman’s Fund Insurance as a Loss Control Engineer. The beard was shaved off and the white shirt and tie became his standard of dress. Painting and artistic expression were put on indefinite hiatus while he became “buttoned down”. He enjoyed his time at the Fund and made many life-long friendships while there. If there was one thing that was the dominant force in Bill’s life, it was family. Together with his wife Mercedes they prioritized creating a stable and loving home life. They were Co-Presidents of the local PTA, took the family on many camping trips, and hosted dinner parties. Every Sunday after church they would bring Winchell’s donuts to the home of his sister and brother-in-law for more extended family time with the cousins. This strong family bond was not broken even after the passing of Mercedes and Edna. Uncle Jerry remained one of Bill’s closest friends until his passing several years ago. With the addition of their four grandchildren, opportunities for attending birthday parties, back to school nights, sleep overs and sporting events provided even more special times spent with family. Early retirement unleashed a flurry of artistic expression. He enjoyed a multi-year stint at KVPR Public Radio, where he hosted his own weekly show as a Jazz DJ. It was around this time that he joined a local art cooperative, The Fig Tree Gallery. In 2001 Bill purchased his own art studio downtown on Van Ness Avenue. He soon filled the space with his abstract acrylic paintings. Thursday Art Hops were opportunities to showcase new works and meet many new friends. Along with his artistic endeavors there was a period of time when Bill was an avid bicyclist. What Bill rode were recumbent bicycles. He attended his first Fresno Cycling Club meeting and they elected him President on the spot. Whatever he tried, he pursued it with gusto. He and Mercedes did RAGBRAI (400+ mile ride across Iowa) twice. Up until the last couple of years, Bill enjoyed good health and was able to live independently. Weekly golf games, mornings spent at Panera Bread, visiting with friends, and still creating art took up most of his time. During his last 18 months he was a resident at Fairwinds at Woodward Park, where he enjoyed making new friends. Bill was very fortunate to have excellent health care providers assisting him at Kaiser Permanente and Fairwinds

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William Reily Bruce

October 19, 1932 - July 9, 2026