In Memoriam: Bill Valentine (MArch ’62), FAIA
The GSD remembers Bill Valentine (MArch ’62), FAIA, who passed away on June 25, 2026, at the age of 88. An early champion of sustainable, human-centered architecture, Bill Valentine was a defining design voice at HOK, a firm he joined shortly after graduating from the GSD.
He began working for the St Louis-based practice in 1962, when they had a single office and only 50 employees. Bill worked at HOK for half a century, serving as Design Principal and President from 2000 to 2005, then as Chairman until his retirement in 2012. He was key in cultivating the firm’s national expansion and mentored generations of designers, continuing to consult and guide project teams at HOK well into his 80s.
Notable projects include Levi’s Plaza; the Moscone Convention Center; the corporate headquarters of Apple, Microsoft, and Adobe; civic buildings such as the Phoenix Municipal Courthouse; and major international projects, including King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
During his tenure, Bill led the firm’s adoption of sustainable design as a core value and spearheaded the publishing of The HOK Guidebook to Sustainable Design in 2000. A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and a LEED-credentialed professional, Bill received numerous honors throughout his career, including the “Legend” Award at the 2007 Annual Interiors Awards hosted by Contract magazine.
A beloved friend, mentor, and colleague, Bill believed good design was “a simple idea, elegantly executed and inspiring, with social significance and in harmony with the environment.”
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Jane Dorward Valentine, in 2022. He is survived by their children, Kayvee, Annie, and Will, and six grandchildren.
Learn more about Bill’s life and legacy.
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