The family and members of the City Council of Redondo Beach announce with great sadness and heavy hearts, the death of Mayor Bill Brand.
Mayor Bill Brand, 65, passed away at home on the evening of Friday, February 9th, with his loving wife, family, and friends by his side. His family and friends surrounded him in the last few days during his sudden turn of health. He valiantly fought stage four lung cancer over the past four and a half years, as only he could. He survived his specific cancer longer than any other diagnosed in the United States. A testament to his will to live, his will to move forward, and his will to lead the community he loved so much.
Mayor Brand was born in Dallas, Texas, and moved to the South Bay in 1966. Finding the Seaside Lagoon, he thought that he had found heaven. His service to the community began in 2000. First, as a concerned resident, then as a champion for open space where he created a non-profit organization, the South Bay Parkland Conservancy, and finally as a member of local elected office. He co-authored a winning ballot measure in 2008 amending the City Charter and was a fierce advocate for many environmental and coastal priorities, including being the major driver in the final decision for the shutdown of the AES power plant. Being able to see that event through was an accomplishment of which he was extremely proud.
Mayor Brand was elected twice to the City Council of Redondo Beach, starting in 2009, and then twice to the office of Mayor. He continued to serve admirably and extensively while undergoing arduous treatments. His work as the Mayor of Redondo Beach, while hospitalized several times, and often in pain, continued. He remained dedicated to his vision of a waterfront park to the very end.
Service announcements for private and public ceremonies will be forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, his wife and family are asking that donations be sent to the non-profit he started, the South Bay Parkland Conservancy, or the Cancer Support Community South Bay, in Bill’s memory. Flags at City Hall will be flown at half-mast in honor of Bill’s passionate service to our community.