William Chao Chiang Chen's Obituary
William Chao Chiang Chen, age 89, passed away at 1:52 AM on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 in a hospital in San Leandro, California. He was born on August 6, 1936 to Ernie Back Gee Chan and Fang Xie Xiao in Shaxi, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China. William was the grandson of Charlie Back Gee Chan, an early Chinese immigrant to Tolga, Queensland, Australia and noted in local history for caring for a big weeping willow tree honoring ANZAC Day 1915 that’s still alive in the center of town. William attended Cui Heng Cun School and spent a couple of years studying geology at Ling Nan University.
William bravely left his birth country on his own in search of better opportunities for his family in 1973. After a couple of years in Hong Kong, he immigrated to the United States in 1975, living first in San Francisco and then in Oakland. In 1980, William’s wife and three children immigrated to the United States and reunited with him. In 1989 the family moved to San Leandro where William lived until his passing. William was a machinist in manufacturing for over 20 years. After retirement, he enjoyed spending his time gardening, raising goldfish, savoring delicious food and sipping a cup of quality Chinese tea. William was a devoted and caring son, husband, father, and father figure to many extended family members.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Sueny Chen; his son, Joseph Chen, and his wife, Rennie Chen; his son, James Chen; his daughter, Samantha Chen, and her partner, Rob Rayle; his grandson, Hayden Chen; his sister-in-law, Soo Mei Choi; his nephew Keith Lee with his wife, Anna Low; his brother, Mervyn Overs, and his family in Australia; his god sister, Dianne Coffey, and her family in Australia; as well as extended family in China. A Cantonese funeral service will be held from 9:00-10:30 a.m., followed by cremation at 10:45 a.m., on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at Chapel of the Chimes, 32992 Mission Blvd, Hayward, CA 94544. A post service lunch will be at Golden Bay Seafood Harbor 金海湾渔港, 34348 Alvarado-Niles Rd, Union City, CA 94587 at 12:00 p.m.
讣 告
陳公兆强先生，因病于 2025 年 12 月 2 日（农历十月十三）在美国不幸逝世，享年 89 岁。
陳兆强先生生于 1936 年 8 月 6 日，一生勤劳敬业、与人为善、大方慷慨。
兹定于 2025 年 12 月 14 日（星期日）上午 9 时在 Chapel of the Chimes, Hayward 百恩園
（32992 Mission Blvd., Hayward, CA 94544) 举行遗体告别仪式。
谨此讣告。
家属：
妻：蔡苏女 率
子：陳致遠（媳：黄敏儀）
子：陳致遥
女：陳静文 Robert Rayle
孙：陳曦頌
哀告
2025 年 12 月 5 日
治丧联系人: 百恩園
联系电话：510-400-4442
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