William Grant Hellar III

William Grant Hellar III passed peacefully Saturday, April 1, 2023, with family by his side.Grant was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all. A truly special man, Grant was a connector of people.The consummate gentleman, his warm heart, generous nature, and memorable laugh left an indelible mark on those who had the pleasure of knowing him.Born in 1936, to the late William Grant Jr. and Phyllis Hellar of Tacoma, Washington Grant attended Mason Jr. High in Tacoma, then high school at Lawrenceville School for Boys in New Jersey. Upon graduation in 1954, Grant matriculated at Yale University where he enrolled in ROTC and majored in History. After graduating from Yale, Grant joined the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant JG and served his country aboard the USS Hornet (CVS-12). Throughout his life, the US Navy held a special place in his heart. In July of 1962 following a Scandinavian Seminar in Denmark, Grant returned to the West Coast, settling in San Francisco, where he began a banking career. He also joined The Young Scandinavian Club, where he met his bride-to-be and the love of his life, Eva.Grant and Eva married August 1965, at Christ Episcopal Church in Sausalito. In 1966, Grant and Eva welcomed their first son, Eric, and in 1969, Scott. Grant’s boys were the pride and joy of his life. During Grant’s thirty plus years with Bank of America, the family relocated to Australia, Japan, and Santa Barbara. In 1996, Grant joined the Montecito Bank & Trust in Santa Barbara, CA. In 1998, returning to Marin to be closer to the boys, Grant consulted for local private banks. Upon retiring, Grant registered with a talent agency in San Francisco and enjoyed an acting career as an extra in movies “Roped” and “He Almost Got Away with It”, along with spots in many commercials.Grant’s passion for sports, especially golf, threaded his life. Competitive into his senior years, he was always in the mix to win an event or be closest to the hole. For over 40 years, a proud and involved member of Meadow Club in Fairfax, CA Grant knew many successes, including three hole-in-one’s!He also made several golfing trips with his two sons and brother, Chuck, to Ireland where they competed in Carr’s father-and-son tournaments in Waterville. During his retirement, Grant and Eva travelled extensively in the U.S, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, usually with theirgolf clubs. One voyage stands out: one hundred days on SS Universe Explorer, sponsored by Semester at Sea, with over five hundred U.S. college students, forty-two adult passengers and twenty-two professors. They visited ten countries; it was a life-changing experience.Being a grandfather came naturally to Grant. He found joy in attending his grandchildren’s sports games, cheering them on from the sidelines, and celebrating their achievements on and off the field.His love and guidance were a constant source of strength and support, leaving an everlasting impression on their young lives.Grant’s distinguished career was paralleled by his commitment to community, and his alma maters. A generous man, he sat on an advisory board for The Salvation Army and Marin-SF Food Bank.Grant’s volunteerism included Dominican University of California Presidents Council, Board of Directors for Semester at Sea Alumni Association, Board Treasurer for Aldersly Retirement Community, alumni interviewer for Yale applicants, Chief Inspector at his local voting precinct, President of his San Rafael Homeowners Association, and Trustee for Lawrenceville School. He was also hailed “the absolute best” Class Secretary for keeping his Lawrentian classmates informed and connected.Grant is survived by Eva, his wife of fifty-seven years, his sons Eric (Becky) and Scott (Donalyn), and grandchildren, Sydney, Cameron, Mason and Madalyn, as well as a brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Sue Hellar, his niece and nephew, and their children.As we mourn the loss of Grant Hellar, we also celebrate the incredible life he led, and the countless ways he made the world a better place. His legacy will live in the hearts and minds of all those he touched, and his memory will serve as a guiding light for generations to come.In his memory, please consider a donation to one of Grant’s favorite charities: The Salvation Army (salvationarmy.org), SF Marin Food Bank (sfmfoodbank.org) or Lewy Body Dementia Foundation (lbda.org).