William Lester Cavala, Ph.D.
Feb. 23, 1943 - Dec. 26, 2009

Bill, the first of Lester and Margaret Cavala's three sons was a proud native Californian, spending his childhood in Sacramento and Oakland. Bill graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Doctorate degrees focusing on voting behavior, political parties and public law. Bill was an expert on reapportionment issues and voter patterns. In 1971, Bill began a lifelong career of public service in Sacramento, working for State Assembly member Bob Crown and with the Select Committee on Criminal Justice. He returned to UC Berkeley to teach in the Department of Political Science while continuing to perform constituent work within the offices of Assembly Members Ken Meade, John Miller and Bill Lockyer.

Bill often spoke of the great admiration he held for his mentors, the late Congressman Philip Burton, wife Sala and brother, John. They imparted to Bill a deep appreciation for the potential of creating a meaningful legacy through political action. From 1981 through 1995, Bill distinguished himself as Senior Aide to the Speaker of the California State Assembly Willie Brown, Jr. and over the years, for Minority Leader Richard Katz and various Speakers of the California State Assembly including Cruz Bustamante, Antonio Villaraigosa, Robert Hertzberg, and Herb Wesson, playing a key role in numerous budgets, redistricting, and election law.

Dr. Cavala served as Director of the SOMS three times and as deputy director under seven different directors, and in addition to his service within the California State Legislature, he was involved in every election cycle since 1970. Most recently, he played key roles in the congressional elections of John Garamendi and Jackie Speier. Because of his professionalism and legislative experience, Bill was an invaluable asset in the California State Legislature, and his efforts earned for him the high esteem of his associates and the appreciation of the public.

Although Bill's professional life dominated his energy, it would be an incomplete portrait not to mention his other passions. Bill loved baseball. It will come as a surprise to no one that he loved to share a great meal and a fine bottle of wine. He was passionate about classic films, travel, history and dear friends.

Bill is survived by family - brother John Cavala and wife Jane; nephews and nieces, Pali Ouye and wife Joelle, Alice Cavala Bond and husband David, Amber Cavala-Masselot, husband Gilles and son Benjamin, Nicole Rooney, husband Shannon, children Kaitlyn and Hunter, Celena Cavala Obakke and husband Martin, and Marc Cavala - and a larger extended group of old and dear friends who were there for him to the end. You know who you are.

In lieu of flowers and in the spirit of Bill's legacy a memorial gift can be made to: Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy; ayee@parksconservancy.org