My 1990s prototype website (mentioned elsewhere in these memorial posts) included most of this information, subsequently updated and used in George’s 2004 version of Bill’s site. In my subsequent conversations with Bill, he mentioned a number of sales and commissions and events that would seem to warrant inclusion, but never got nailed down for purposes like this. Perhaps his more-proximate friends and colleagues could help with relevant updates that for any highlights that have been missed so far. Contact me if you can help with specifics!
Thanks to help and contributions from Nancy Wertz Prentice and Roger Camp!
Personal
1946 Born, Long Beach, California (3-12-46)
1966 Viet Nam, U.S. Army Helicopter Mechanic
1969 Brooks Institute of Photography, Santa Barbara, California
1971-78 Photography Expeditions – Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru
1977 Meets Roger Camp to begin new photographic relationship and friendship
1978 Traveled with Roger Camp to Spain, France and Morocco
1979 Met legendary photographer W. Eugene Smith (considered a highlight of his life)
1980 Met Nathalie Robert during Christmas trip to Paris
1981 Moved to Paris, France
1983 Set Up Glass Studio with Nathalie, 4 Rue De Braque, Paris, France
1987-88 Lived in Oman during production of palace crystal dome project
1988 Moved with Nathalie to farm outside Paris and set up new studio
1989 Returned to Long Beach, California, set up studio
1990-2009 Taught photography and stained glass classes at Golden West College, Huntington Beach, California
2010-2021 Lived in Long Beach art studio producing digital art, glass sculpture, painting and photographs. Restored and repaired antique film and still cameras, watches and other vintage equipment.
2021 Deceased, Long Beach, California (8-3-21)
Exhibitions and Publications
1978 First Biennial Juried Exhibition (Photography): Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery
1979 Two Person Exhibition, Color Photographs: Roger Camp, William Wertz, Status Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA, May 6 – 23
1979 Group Exhibition, Long Beach Unlimited, Phipps Gallery, Long Beach, CA, November 27 – December 29
1981 Group Exhibition, Photography Auction Exhibition, BC Space, Laguna Beach, CA
1982 Two Person Exhibition (with Roger Camp), Contemporary Works, Jordan-Robert Patisserie, Long Beach, CA,
1986 One Man Exhibition: Gallery Quartz, 12 Rue Des 4 Vents, Paris, France
1986 Group Exhibition: Hommes De Verre, Bibiotheque Forney, Paris France
1986 Piece Accepted in Permanent Collection, Museum of Decorative Arts, Paris, France
1987-89 Crystal Dome Project: Sultanate of Oman, Oman (160,000-plus pieces)
1988 Included in (book) “The Glass in France 1980’s”
1989 Kurland Summers Gallery, Los Angeles, California
1994 Group Show: “Contemporary Glass: Form and Function,” Finegood Gallery, Woodland Hills, California
1994 Imago Gallery, Palm Desert, California
1994 Highline Gallery, Aspen, Colorado
1998 Davis Gallery, Scottsdale, Arizona
2001 Decor, Newport Beach, California
2001 Pismo Gallery, Beaver Creek, Colorado
2003 Back Alley Gallery, Aspen, Colorado
1990 – 2009 Various faculty shows: Golden West College Gallery
Commissions and Collections
Apple France: Corporate Office
Tecno France: Corporate Office
Knoll France: Fountain Project, City Hall, Bagdad, Iraq
Bank Casse De Deport: Paris France – Permanent Collection
King of Morocco: Private Office, Casablanca, Morocco
Saudi Arabian Ambassador to France: Residence, Riyadh
Nicholas Franco: Private Residence, Madrid, Spain
Museum of Decorative Arts: Paris, France – Permanent Collection
H.E. Sayyid Hamad Bin Hamood: Residence, Oman
John Sculley, Apple Computer: Private Office
Ostern Foundation: Private Residence
Fender Musical Instruments Corp.: Permanent Collection
Al Hendrix (Father of Jimi Hendrix): Permanent Collection
Guitar Center Corporate: Permanent Collection
Paul Allen Foundation
Thomas A. James: Private Collection