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This memorial website was sponsored by Dana. It will now remain online forever.

 

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Personal Background

 

This memorial website was created in the memory of our beloved friend, William Armstrong. Bill died unexpectedly on February 2 in Sunnyvale at the age of 71. Bill, an accomplished concert pianist, teacher and local entrepreneur was born December 21, 1934 in San Jose, CA. A Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Bill’s military career was spent mainly in Italy. He graduated from StanfordUniversityin 1959 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music, and studied Piano under the late Adolph Baller. Bill played many concerts in his career, and worked with a great many musicians and musical groups, He also played at Carnegie Hall.

He loved sailing, golf, and winemaking and was an excellent cook, but his true passions were music and guiding the creative careers of young and talented musicians.  He sponsored many “Whitclem Place” concerts in his Palo Alto home. Always a gracious and welcoming host, Bill co-hosted a weekly Monday Night Dinner for friends at his home.

Bill is survived by his partner of 30 years, David Stritmatter, his sister, Betty Dole, of Palo Alto, his niece, Janet Krovoza, his nephew, Jeff Dole, two grand- nieces, many cousins and a myriad of close and loving friends.

A memorial service will be held at: St.ThomasAquinasParishChurch , 751 Waverly Street, Palo Alto, CA, on Saturday, February 18 at 10AM. In lieu of flowers the family prefers contributions be sent to: St. Anthony’s Padua Dinning Room in Menlo Park. (650) 365-9664. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Roller & Hapgood & Tinney of Palo Alto (650) 328-1360. Visitation, Friday Feb 17, 2 - 7PM

 

Latest Tributes

HI - I DIDENT KNOW WILLIAM AT ALL I AM ONLY 13 BUT I AM SURE OF WHAT I HAVE SENN AND READ I REALLY THINK HE WAS A GOOD GUY - from KEYONA

Piano Teacher - Pushing hard, at last they get it in, this damn piano fought them all the way. Perhaps it’s just his tiredness, still doing this at seventy. At seventy, his dad was dead . . . All his life, it’s music’s been his friend, these tuneful beasts he carries, God, he tames. Sees himself with whip in hand. Piano tamer, look, old man, still willing to get up there with the boys. Oh, they get younger every year, these kids who help him now. He has the expertise, the truck and trailer, gestures trained, in short, the brains; they’ve got the brawn. He’s got the eyes appreciate male shoulders, muscled arms. Not that they would guess. Not that he’s disguised. He’s had one lover thirty years! Such—harmonies. It’s like that Schubert trio, middle movement where the violin comes in . . . He walks around the trailer to the cab, his lover’s voice a bass line rising, pizzicato cello plucking him . . . He climbs in, starts the engine, heading home. Those final chords come back, low B-flat sliding down to F, the seventh in his right hand like a whip. He grins. Piano tamer, yes, old man whose pinky finds the note down at the bottom brings the movement to an end. - from Kate

A hero of mine - Bill, I will always cherish our relationship. So many wonderful memories, such wonderful times. Recalling our first meeting, pouring rain February Sunday 1981, You & David arrive with Gertude Steinway in tow at "the barn". You are drenched in rain, huge smile, twinkling black eyes..."Hi I'm Bill, this is David. We are delivering Susan's(my new roommate) grand piano". The fabulous concerts in your home as well as your performances in SF, sailing on the bay, doggie picnics with Harvey, Cumberland Island swimming , sunning, & cooking. You made pies before sunrise!!! Fabulous gourmet dinners, your Italian pastry "Cannoles", more music. - from Sharon

Latest Memories

Dana - For the last 10-11 years Bill and David hosted Monday dinners in their home. Up until recently I would spend the night in the TV room so that I could enjoy the wine and not have to worry about driving. David would always sneak into the room before I would go to bed and take the bed out of the couch. Billy would always get tired around 9:30 and sneak out to bed via the TV room, but before he would go he would place some sort of foreign object in my bed so that when I slid into the sheets I would find some prickly and surprising object against my skin. I would always jump and exclaim and then fall into laughter. Last Christmas George (He spent the night too) and I collected a years worth of these objects, wrapped them and gave them to Bill for Christmas. He opened them and looked a little perplexed until we explained where they came from. We all had a good laugh.