William Newsom

William Alfred Newsom III (February 15, 1934 – December 12, 2018) was an American judge, administrator of the Getty family trust, and the father of California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Early life and education Newsom was born in San Francisco, California, the son of Christine Anne (née Brennan) and William A. Newsom II. All of his friends and family referred to him as Bill. A native San Franciscan, Newsom's father ran Pat Brown's campaign for San Francisco district attorney. Brown later became Governor of California.

In 1967, he married Tessa Menzies, and had two children (including Gavin) before divorcing her after five years.

In 1975, Jerry Brown appointed Newsom to the Superior Court bench in Auburn (Placer County) and later to the state Court of Appeal in San Francisco, where he served until his retirement in 1995. He screened potential investments and made recommendations on real estate, stocks, bonds, and other ventures. "I make my living working for Gordon Getty", Newsom said in 2003. During his judicial career he had had to curb his advocacy for environmental protection to maintain his professional neutrality. In 2004 he administered the oath of office to Gavin upon his election as mayor of San Francisco.

Death Newsom died of ulcerative colitis at his home in San Francisco on December 12, 2018, at the age of 84, just over a month after his son Gavin was elected governor.