Born March 17, 1942 in Los Angeles, Bill was the oldest of four children born to Rynol and Alice Dahlman. He was a kind, thoughtful and compassionate person, always the positive and reasonable one in the eye of the storm and a mentor to many over his life. He had a wonderful sense of humor.
He attended Harvard School and graduated 1960, excelled in many sports, but football was his best and he became an all-CIF Halfback as a senior. He then moved on to The University of Southern California playing Freshman football. He joined the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and became their President and subsequently was named President of the Fraternity Council. He graduated in 1964 with his BS in Finance.
It was at USC that Bill dated the love of his life, Kathryne Baier. They were married in 1965. Bill and Kathryne built a beautiful life together over many decades with their son Darren until their lives were shattered with the death of Darren in a tragic accident. Bill treasured his time with grandson, Will, and remained very active in his life.
Bill began his career at Marstellar Advertising as an account executive while working on his MBA at USC at night, graduating with his MBA in 1967. He then moved to Coca Cola Bottling Company of Los Angeles as a product manager for the Coca Cola Brands.
He shifted to the Bottled Water Division as a manager of an up and coming beverage, Arrowhead Water. Arrowhead became The Beatrice Bottled Water Division, then The Perrier Group, where he became Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. One of the highlights was his involvement with the 1984 Olympics where Arrowhead Water was named the Official Water! He subsequently moved to Suntory Water Group where he was the President and Chief Executive Officer, leading the ramp-up in their growth and quadrupling sales. He was President of the International Bottled Water Association and served on the Board of Directors for many years. He also served as the industry spokesman in State and Federal regulatory activity.
Bill then started his consulting company, WRD & Associates, a contract management and consulting group to such companies as Coca Cola Enterprises, Warburg Pincus, The World Bank, and numerous others, with work spanning not just the U.S., but Europe and Asia.
His last position before he retired was as President and CEO of The Employers Group, during which time he led the organization to be the nation’s largest not for profit employer association, serving over 3500 California companies.
During his career, Bill Served on numerous Boards of both businesses and associations but he was most proud of his role as Chairman of the Board of the Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women and Children. Under his leadership, the organization grew its capabilities and during that time was able to help thousands out of homelessness and give them the capacity to live healthy, safe and productive lives.
He loved his numerous golf trips to Scotland and Ireland with his friends and fly fishing at a friends fishing lodge in Wyoming. Both sports were very important in his life. Bill was the most fit person anyone knew, running for 30 years, exercising and cycling every day.
Bill was fortunate to have such wonderful caregivers and physical therapists that worked endlessly with him to overcome the problems that resulted from his stroke.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women & Children, 1650 Rockwood St., Los Angeles, CA 90026.
The service will be held on Bill’s birthday, March 17, 2022 at 11:00am at All Saints Episcopal Church in Beverly Hills; 504 N Camden Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Celebration following.
Published by Los Angeles Times from Feb. 26 to Mar. 17, 2022.
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