Bill McCutchen passed away on January 28th, 2022 at the VA Medical Center in Los Angeles. Born December 1945 to Sara and Jim McCutchen, he grew up in Wichita Falls, Texas. His childhood was full of adventures and he made lifelong and loyal friends. After serving in the Navy, he began making his way in the world.
In his 20’s, he lived in San Francisco, enjoying music, art, and friendship, and had an epiphany that opened his heart and mind to the development of his connection with God for the rest of his life. He then traveled in Europe, ending at Ibiz, Spain, where he met Jennifer Chapman. They fell in love and returned to California to be married in 1971. They lived in a small house on Cannery Row where he cultivated a career as an artist, Jenny attended the local community college, and their daughter Laura was born.
During this time, he was opened in Subud. Developing an interest in Javanese mysticism and shadow puppetry, he moved the family to Jakarta in 1973. They lived in a Subud community and he was employed designing silk carpets. Their son Danny was born there in January, 1974.
The family traveled back and forth to the US regularly, with a base in New York City, where Bill attended the Art Students League of New York, specializing in fine art and stone sculpture. His intricate, and vivid drawings developed into what would become his unmistakable, luminous style.
In the early 1980s, Bill and Jennifer separated and he returned to the U.S. with the kids, landing in Hawaii. There, he felt a calling to the local church and went on to spend years studying scripture and immersing himself in Christianity. During that time he moved with the family from Hawaii to Texas, New Mexico, and finally, Topanga Canyon, CA.
In his years in Topanga, he devoted himself to helping others, becoming a fantastic guitarist, and honing his skills as an artist. Nurturing a growing connection to the Jewish faith, he visited Israel. Bill was overjoyed by the establishment of Chabad of Topanga and soon made many friends there.
Bill moved from Topanga to Point Dume where he narrowly escaped with his life in a fire which swept the area in 2018. He saved the lives of the wheelchair-bound neighbor and her caregiver, getting them into their vehicle and out before he saved himself. After the fire, Bill moved back to Topanga and then learned that he was seriously ill. He spent his final months in VA Nursing Care, where he celebrated his 31 Year Alcoholics Anonymous sober birthday with AA friends, who had become as close as brothers.
Bill was a local hero in Topanga. His calm sobriety and ability to advise wisely, understand profoundly, and connect deeply with those whose lives he touched, strongly binds all who loved him together. In lieu of flowers, if you wish, please make a donation to Chabad of Topanga in Bill’s name.
With peace and love,
Alice Laura, Bill’s daughter
NOTE: If you would like to add your own reflections on Bill’s life, please go to the comments section at the bottom of this remembrance on our website HERE
I knew Bill in the 1970’s, when we both lived in Marin County. I liked him as a person and
we shared an intense interest in guitar. When he went to Indonesia, he left a beautiful
instrument with me for safe keeping. It stayed in the case under my bed for a few months, but I finally took it out and played it. And played it and played it! It was a remarkable instrument. When he came back after two years I offered to buy it. Nothing doing! When he left for Texas he took it with him. When I saw him again after a year or two, he had a sad story to tell. It had perished in a flood! We both went into mourning. Our love for that instrument became another bond between us. I wish, over the years, I had seen him more often. I’ll never forget him. Safe journey Bill. May you be guided and protected by Almighty God.
I knew Bill the last 10 years of his life. We bonded over guitar and music. We played together at his place, my place and some Wednesdays at Malibu Methodist for open mic night. Lots of fun and an eclectic mix of music and musicians. We also debated politics as we couldn’t have been more opposed. We still remained friends not being able to convince each other we were right or wrong.
I photographed Bill and specifically I photographed his hands while he played his cherished Stella acoustic guitar. That became the fist in a long series of artists hands series for me.
We commiserated after we both lost our homes in the Woolsey fire, but unfortunately not seeing each other much. I watched him through his poor health and unfortunately didn’t know of his passing until many months later. If his daughter reads this, I have some pretty cool photographs of Bill for you.
Miss you buddy,
Dave