We wish we were able to share this news personally with each of you, the way Bill would have: across the nursery's front counter - the place he was happiest - where you approach as a customer and leave as a friend.

After an extraordinary and uphill battle against cancer and liver failure, our founder, Bill Tall, passed away in January of 2021. He was at home, surrounded by loved ones, and sounds of the nursery ever-present; the background music of a life lived on his own terms.

A true individual - there was, and will only ever be, one Farmer Bill.

Establishing City Farmers Nursery at the age of 16, in 1972, Bill built a community institution at the corners of Home and Euclid.

But he didn't do it alone. And our family cannot thank you enough.

Thank you for being with Bill through the journey. And for continuing to support us in the present day.

Your prayers, words of encouragement and uplifting messages buoyed him and us. Your continued support of Bill's dream, helping our family and team making it through an unprecedented pandemic and grief truly keeps us going.

As we commemorate Bill’s legacy, we thank the exceptional medical team at Scripps / Anderson MD and LightBridge Hospice who went every extra mile. Bill never accepted the standard diagnosis, bending the health industry to treat him as an Individual. Challenging them to do better than the 'best they could offer'. And so they did.

Nearly three quarters of a million dollars of treatment was donated by drug manufacturers for Bill’s treatment, prolonging his life by years, while ensuring he maintained a wonderful quality of life. His doctors considered him a walking miracle – doctors and the medical staff the family will forever be grateful to - Drs Sigal, Frenette, Kuo, Stemple, and his health advocate, Dr. Bougie.

We struggle to find the words to thank our incredible nursery team. Daily, they maintained a steadiness during six years of ups and downs that came with the diagnosis. Their world was upended, and they, along with the support of you, our community, made it possible for our family's focus to be on Bill.

Bill’s life can, in no way, be defined by his passing. He’s forever woven into the tapestry of San Diego gardens, gardeners, and the horticulture industry.

For over fourteen thousand days, Bill opened the gates to City Farmers to welcome you in. He drove down our San Diego streets to bring you soil, or to consult on your yard. He traveled to schools across town speaking, starting school gardens, or reading on Career Day, or dressing up as Santa.

He loved patronizing fellow independent businesses in San Diego and fiercely believed in the power of variety that independent businesses bring.

But his great joy was bringing you a smile and a solution over the counter where he could share a joke, impart some wisdom, and remind you that you mattered. You getting good advice, from a local community resource, mattered.

Bill received all kinds of awards and tributes, but what made him happiest was a full day of helping people, making headway on a project he was working on,a good meal shared with loved ones, and his his head hitting the pillow knowing he’d get to do it all again the following day.

On a personal note, your outpouring of love and memories of Bill is comforting to know there are so many hearts in which this loss is shared, and where there is love for a true original. Our Dad.

Thank you for your support, and thank you for helping us carry on every good thing he’s taught us.

From Bill’s Kids,
Rebecca, Sam, & Sara Tall