This memorial website was created to capture and share memories of William "Bill" Arce with all the people who cared deeply for him. Please enjoy it. We will remember him forever.
We encourage you to share your own memories and stories of Bill; any photos that will help tell his story; and anything else that would help honor his life.
Celebration of Life Service: The family is planning a service on Sunday, May 1, 2016 graciously hosted on the campus of Claremont McKenna College. Service will begin at 1pm at McKenna Auditorium, followed by a reception at the Athenaeum.
In Memoriam Gifts: If you wish, in lieu of flowers, please consider supporting two areas that would reflect Bill's interests - both are educational scholarships.
- CMS's 'William B. Arce Scholarship Fund' (c/o Andrew Carrillo (909) 607-1847) or at "online.cmc.edu/ArceGiftPage"
- 'Mt San Antonio Garden Scholarship Fund' (c/o Patricia Williams (909) 624-5061)
Tributes
Leave a tributeCoach Arce, you will always be remembered for who you are and what you gave the world.
As the years have passed I love of this man is renewed every year that my wife and I go to Europe to spread the word of baseball. This past year my time in Ireland and Italy always brings back memories of my first trip with Bill to Bologna in 1988. Countless trips later I will never forget the world Bill opened up to me. God Bless
Brent
You remain my hero.
Love you coach.
i miss you coach and continue to be blessed with what you mean to all your ball players.
Love and Respect
Pearson #25
Every year that passes without your physical presence is difficult. But your enduring faith in me and many of your players will always be felt in our hearts. I know I speak for all of your players- you made us better men.
We will continue to honor your legacy.
Thankfully yours,
Jimmy Gardiner
Whittier College ‘68
Holland Baseball ‘66
Coach Arce will always be in my heart as a loving parent who always had my best interest in mind. He will always be remembered for his unconditional love.
I was allowed to take a side trip to visit my 1st cousin Patrick and family in Mitchels Town near Cork. I entered the home where my Grand Father was Born. There were dirt floors, one room and a sod roof. Life changing experience for me. Very humbling.
Coach,
You gave me the opportunity and experience of a lifetime. Thank you.
YOUR LIFE WAS A DIFFERENCE MAKER FOR SO MANY. THANK YOU NANCY FOR ALLOWING YOUR FANTASTIC HUSBAND TO SHARE SO MUCH.
LOVE THE BOTH OF YOU,
JIMMY GARDINER
WHITTIER COLLEGE ‘68
Thank you for living your religion.
We miss you but you are always in our hearts...
Every year around this time, as the premature fireworks go off weeks before the 4th of July, I think of you, June 24, my mother, Lurline Cotton, June 29, my wife, Clara July 6, and finally me, July 20. All cancers with similar characteristics of compassion and inclusiveness. We want everybody to succeed, enjoy life and keep God as the center of our lives.
Thank you Coach for everything you gave me - your unconditional Self!
Will always keep you in my life.
I think back now and remember you for a special gift you freely gave. It is very simple. It is so obvious that it is easily missed among the many wonder gifts in your Legacy.
“YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE”.
It is huge to say a man has made a “difference“. Not just a fist in a bucket of water with ripples that disappear. You transformed young boys into men. Remember the beaches of Normandy, France in WWII to the Baseball fields around the world. You made a Difference.
Love Coach and Dear Nancy.
Jim Gardiner
Whittier College Poet ‘68
Holland Stagg ‘66 (Studs)
Thank you, Coach..............
The years continue to pass but your legacy remains a constant in my life. As I stated last year you will always be a central part of my core values in trying to be a decent and respectful human being. You will always be a beacon for decency and respect. You are loved and respected throughout the world.
God bless you coach and your family. I truly miss my yearly birthday greeting on the 25th of June.
Pearson Cotton
These personal incidences truly helped me become the person I am today always aware that a helping hand or a kind word has lasting results that may go unrecognized but continues to ripple like a small pebble in a pond.
To the Arce family, I have the highest respect and love for coach Arce. He and Nancy will always be a beacon of kindness and love that continues to grow in power for all who have been touched by them just being themselves. God bless the Arce family. The legacy continues.
I think of you every time I hear Louis Armstrong singing "What A Wonderful World".
Hugs to Mom.
Thank you for the kind words you guys.
Brad, re your note on playing badminton... my Dad challenged me at badminton one time when I was at CMC. I laughed confidently (fully expecting to beat him easily) and said..."Sure!"
We played in Ducey Gym. I don't recall getting a single point! He ran me all over that small court. I was exhausted and shell-shocked! I think he was getting even for something I might have done earlier in my youth???
Continue to watch over us!
For that I will remain forever grateful.
As brother Jim says... we were blessed to have him as a Dad.
Bill is always in my thoughts..............All the best, Bill Mathews
Thanks Bill - thanks for all of us, Jim
Love to all.
Bill Arce shaped my life. When he invited me to represent the California Stags in 1964 to play in Holland, I had no idea how this would influence my life even to this day. In fact my wife and I plan this year to visit Holland, just as we have many times, to visit with friends, and as volunteers to help with field maintenance in Eindhoven, just as Bill made us do each day after practice. He was a great man.
I just heard the news today. I was watching 30 for 30 on the '85 Chicago Bears and the players relationships with their coaches and how much an effect they had on the lives of the players especially off the playing field. I immediately thought to call coach Arce.
I have kept in touch with him over the last 50 years especially calling on his birthday in late June just a few days before my mother and a month before mine - all Cancers. He is a true humanitarian - an ambassador of good manners, discipline, fairness, and passion for life. And don’t forget, competitive! He touched souls in so many ways.
I could spend hours reflecting on the many ways that Coach made me think before about what I was doing before I messed up; not by scolding, but by a look, a body quirk, or just a strong vibe.
I am at a loss to know that he is now with history. But what a full and wonderful life of meeting and greeting people all around the world and sharing the joy of baseball while making people feel human and appreciated.
Coach, thank you for including me as a part of our unforgettable trip to Europe in '66. That trip changed the direction of my life. I will always have those lifetime memories. I shall forever be in your debt for helping me become a responsible Man.
Pearson Cotton
California Stag '66
CMC'69
What a wonderful man.
Leave a Tribute
Coach Arce, you will always be remembered for who you are and what you gave the world.
Baseball Detour
Coach Arce attended all the home football games and would always offer me a few words of encouragement though I suspected he was likely there to check on his more established baseball stars like Pearson Cotton, Rodger Baird, Ed Hicks, and Mike Burke.
Following a successful preseason at 3rd base and at the plate, it looked as though I would be playing a lot of baseball for the Stags. Until grades came out, that is. That was the first time anyone had engaged me with the importance of, academics in the realm of athletics speech. Coach Arce delivered that speech.
Full ACL/MCL surgery following football my sophomore year, once again derailed my baseball plans. I would never play an inning of baseball for Coach Arce, though he made a point of congratulating me the first semester I made the Dean’s List.
Besides four years of football, including the program’s first championship in 1970, I had also found Rugby at the colleges. I was able to realize the other dream Coach Arce had first sparked, international sport. I finally got to Europe and a total of eleven countries on three other continents over a twenty-five year Rugby playing career. Thank you Coach.
Harry Wright
CMC ‘71
The Best Coach Ever
I'm not sure how my life would have unfolded without coach Arce's influence on me as a student, and more important, as an induvidual trying to figure out life. He gave me a firm idea of what was fair and right and wrong. I have never respected a person in all aspects of life more than Coach Arce. He believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. And this did not stop when I left Claremont. I continued to stay in touch with coach through his last years, having spent a part of his 88th birthday with him in Claremont. He will ALWAYS be #1 on my list of great Men - next to my father! God bless his life. And thank you, the Arce family, in sharing his full life with all of us.
Pearson Cotton
CMC '69
Calif. Stags '66
Coach Arce - You Changed My Life
I just heard the news today. I was watching 30 for 30 on the '85 Chicago Bears and the players relationships with their coaches and how much an effect they had on the lives of the players especially off the playing field. I immediately thought to call coach Arce.
I have kept in touch with him over the last 50 years especially calling on his birthday in late June just a few days before my mother and a month before mine - all Cancers. A true humanitarian - ban ambassador of good manners, discipline, fairness, and passion for life.He touched souls in so many ways.
I could spend hours reflecting on the many ways that Coach made me think about what I was doing before I messed up; not by scolding but by a look, a body quirk or just a strong vibe.
I am at a loss to know that he is now with history but what a full and wonderful life of making friends all around the world and sharing the joy of making people feel human and appreciated.
I hope to share our unforgettable trip to Europe in '66 with the PowerPoint I composed for the 40th reunion of the California Stags in 2006. I was not able to share it in this format. It is a treasure of memories. And coach you were the one that put all this in motion. I shall forever by in your debt for helping me become a responsible Man.
Pearson Cotton
California Stag '66
CMC'69