SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The University of San Francisco (USF) Athletics department is saddened to acknowledge the passing of former men’s basketball standout and two-time NCAA champion Bill Bush.
Born on Apr. 1, 1933, he was born in what is now home plate at Eureka Valley Playground in San Francisco. Bush went on to attend Most Holy Redeem School, and then St. Ignatius (S.I.) College Preparatory, where he earned a full scholarship. In his senior year, he was an All-City basketball player and was instrumental in S.I. defeating Commerce High School to win the All-City basketball title. During that game, Bush guarded future USF teammate and NBA Hall of Famer K.C. Jones, holding him to a mere six points while scoring 10 points himself in the 40-37 victory over Commerce.
Despite feeling he was more talented on the diamond as a baseball player, Bush committed to the University of San Francisco to play basketball, receiving a full academic and athletic scholarship. He was a member of both the 1955 and 1956 NCAA championship teams, which won a then-record 55 straight games.
In 1956, the NCAA championship team went on a tour of South America, where Bill would go on to meet his future wife, Irma de Brigard, poolside at a hotel in Medellin, Colombia. After serving two years in the United States Army, the two married on Apr. 26, 1958, by his uncle, Fr. Damien at Most Holy Redeemer Church. Bush then became a high school English and Spanish teacher at Serra High School in San Mateo and a playground director in the City. He went back to school and received his law degree from USF in 1963, serving as a clerk for a year before joining the Hanson Bridgett law firm, where he became a partner and had an illustrious 50-year career as a respected litigator.
Bush was a diehard San Francisco Giants, San Francisco 49ers, and Golden State Warriors fan. Later in life, he often could be found playing a round of golf with his friends Rudy, Ray, and Paul. Bush was happiest when he was with his family, and he loved traveling with his family most of all.
He is reunited with Irma, his wife of 67 years, and the love of his life. Bush is survived by his children, William (Annie), Thomas (Genie), Lisa Cesari (Patrick), and Maria McGinnis (John), as well as his grandchildren Lauren, Katie, Dominic, Anthony, John, Maria, Paul, Everett, and Odessa.
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