William Robert Warf (Bill) met Dana, the love of his life, in 2018. They married on July 9, 2022. For six years, they shared their passion for hiking, nature and gardening on 80 wild acres. They lived in the straw-bale, solar-powered home Bill designed and built. Perched above the Pacific Ocean and nestled in trees, Bill remained on the land he loved, with Dana, until the end, as was his wish.

Bill was born in Oakland on May 4, 1955, to James Warf and Carolyn Cleland. He grew up in Ukiah and spent many days with his grandfather, McGee, who taught him to hunt, fish and round up cattle. This experience planted the seed to one day purchase his own plot of land.

Bill was a man of substance, his kindness forming the core of his character. He lived by the principle expressed in one of his favorite books, “The Art of Racing in the Rain” by Garth Stein: “There is no dishonor in losing the race. There is only dishonor in not racing because you are afraid to lose.” This philosophy served him well, as evidenced by his victories in solar car races in Hawaii and Denmark. Despite his competitive success, Bill remained modest, often quoting Lao Tzu: “It is because he does not contend that no one in the world can contend against him.” A voracious reader with a rare combination of attentiveness and compassion towards others, Bill embodied the balance between achievement and humility.

During high school, he occupied himself completely rebuilding a classic MG, re-engineering the windshield washer nozzles to turn 180 degrees and spritz unsuspecting passersby. Bill then attended the University of California, Davis, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

He began his career as a design engineer, working for Peterbilt in Fremont, Remco Hydraulics in Willits and Retech Systems in Ukiah. After Bill designed and built an electric car he named the “Peregrin,” Volkswagen recruited him in 1998. He moved to Wolfsburg, Germany, to oversee VW’s prototype hybrid electric cars division. Later, he returned to the United States to serve as Program Manager of Electric Transportation at Sacramento Municipal Utility District.

Bill realized his dream of purchasing a parcel of land above Ferndale and moved there. He applied his sharp intellect to master solar power technology and electrical systems with relative ease. Those who knew him were impressed by his quick wit and gentlemanly demeanor. He owned and operated Wildcat Solar in Ferndale, serving property owners throughout Humboldt County until his recent retirement.

Bill excelled at growing Black Krim tomatoes in his self-built greenhouse and generously shared jar after jar of Thai peppers. His culinary skills, nurtured since childhood, included baking exceptional blackberry and apple pies in a special wood stove tin. His fresh-baked, whole-grain bread and chocolate chip cookies were praiseworthy, while his strong pour-over coffee fueled many cozy family mornings.

Bill found satisfaction hiking his woods, chainsaw in hand, and created artful stacks of alder firewood. They warmed his home through winter’s chill, and now, like a well-tended fire, the memory of his kindness and curiosity continues to warm our hearts.

Bill is survived by his wife, Dana Murguia, and his beloved rescue dog, Loki; his son, Thomas Warf (Emma); his daughters, Inge Warf (Michael Linder-Madsen) and Rachel Warf; his stepchildren, Zachary Murguia Burton, Owen Murguia Burton, Delanie Linden and Sidney Hinton; three grandchildren, Carl (9), Liza (7) and Adele (6); his sister, Elizabeth (Al) Gress, and nephew, Theo; his two first cousins, Melissa Ballard and Melanie (Jared) Willson; his step-siblings, Holly Chapin, Cindy (Charlie) Haug and Kit (Carol) Cleland; and many beloved friends too plentiful to list by name.

Memorial service will be held October 5 at Ferndale City Hall Auditorium, 834 Main Street, Ferndale, from 2 to 4 p.m. Friends and family are invited to share their cherished memories of Bill during the service.

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