A man of letters, Bill Spieth (December 30, 1936 - May 9, 2007) was a writer and English instructor. He taught for 30 years, including 20 in Santa Cruz, most recently at Cabrillo College. He was born in Ashtabula, Ohio and moved to California at age 11. He graduated from the University of Oregon and earned a Master's Degree in Literature at the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Bill received a Fulbright grant in 1966 to teach English in Athens, Greece. He continued teaching upon his return to California before retiring in 1999 to pursue his love of tennis and golf. Passionate about language and literature, he loved to read and was a connoisseur of quotations and works of notable authors and poets. He wrote poetry, articles, short stories, and essays.

Bill, who passed away on May 9, 2007, will be missed by his beloved wife Kerry, his sister Lynn, his granddaughter Natalie, and his children, Leslie, Christa, Eric, and Deva, as well as Carroll and Cecelia, his extended family, friends, and former students.

Santa Cruz Sentinel, May 27, 2007