When someone retires from their company, it usually does not warrant a page long article in Benicia Magazine. But when it is long time Benician Bill Cawley, it is different story. On March 16, nearly 400 people honored Bill at his official retirement party at the Concord Hilton. There was no place large enough in Benicia to hold the event. It was an extremely interesting crowd made up of Northern California Industry and Labor Leaders, along with hundreds of the Cawley Benicia friends and family. His wife Leeann, as usual, was by his side. Vice Mayor Christina Strawbridge read a City of Benicia Proclamation in recognition of Bill Cawley for his service to the Benicia Community. Many speakers reminisced about the impact Bill had on their lives and careers.
Bill and Leann started Benicia Plumbing together in 1975 and have employed hundreds of Solano County residents through the years. Bill began his Plumbing Apprenticeship in 1964 and graduated in 1969. This was his first step in becoming an Industry Leader.
Some of Bill's services to the Construction Industry include:
President of Northern California Mechanical Contractors Association in 1998
Chairman of the Napa-Solano Apprenticeship Committee for nearly 30 years
Member of the Contra Costa Apprenticeship Committee in both Martinez and Concord for nearly 25 years
Chairman of the California State Pipe Trades Apprenticeship Committee from 2010-2015
Chairman of the Western Mechanical Conference Labor-Management Committee in 2015
During his long career, Bill has helped hundreds of young men and women enter the Union Plumbing Industry, which has allowed them to earn a good living, including solid health and welfare and pension benefits
Besides Bill's service to the Industry, both he and Leeann served the Benicia Business Community. Bill was President of the Benicia Chamber of Commerce in 1979 and Leeann served as President in 1982.
Both worked tirelessly on behalf of the Benicia Relay For Life, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society. Leeann was the chairperson of Benicia's Relay for several years.
Benicia/Tula Association and the Soroptimist International of Benicia have received benefits from this caring couple. The Cawleys were chosen by Benicia Main Street to by the Grand Marshall of the 2017 Third of July Parade.
In 2017, they were given the Outstanding Citizen Award by the Benicia Police Department for their involvement with the "Leading the Way Project."
Benicia Plumbing's Company motto is "People Taking Care of People." Both Bill and Leeann Cawley have lived by that motto and Benicia has been better off because of the Cawleys.
