William Copeland, born 4 November 1947, in Cleveland, Ohio to Rachel and Norman Copeland, passed away 14 July 2026 after decades of being challenged with Multiple Sclerosis.

While a student at Goddard College, Bill met and married Karen Rexford. Living in Vermont, he developed an interest in construction and home building. Bill was drafted in the late 1960’s. At his induction appointment, he wrote simply “Thou Shalt Not Kill” across the form, and was granted Conscientious Objector status. He fulfilled his CO service as an orderly at Vermont State Mental Hospital in Waterbury, Vermont. Twin sons were born in 1971. Bill moved to the Bay Area and began Bashland Construction with fellow builder Roger Bash, doing renovations and building custom homes. In 1975, Bill met Susan Talpers and helped her build Nabolom Bakery Collective in Berkeley. Bill and Susan married in 1980, and began plans for their own bakery business, including a move to the country. They moved to Nevada City in 1981, and opened Flour Garden Bakery, bringing a bit of Bay Area “California cuisine” food consciousness to the Sierra foothills. Bill also built the lovely home in which he and Susan have lived, nestled amongst the trees, since 1985.

His family and friends will miss his clarity of vision, and gentle, loving spirit.

Bill is survived by his wife of 46 years, Susan Copeland, his brother Neil Copeland, sister Deborah Starr, and sons Albee Kara and Grey Copeland.