William Arthur Foraker Obituary (1978 - 2023)

Born Sep 15, 1978, William Arthur Foraker attended Thousand Oaks High School in Thousand Oaks, CA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about William Arthur Foraker.

Graduation Year	Class of 1996
Date of Birth	Sep 15, 1978
Date of Passing	Jan 15, 2023
About	William Foraker committed suicide on January 15, 2023 after a 20 year battle with paranoid schizophrenia. We wrote a book encouraging awareness about the current crisis in mental health, the title is: Mental Health Crisis based on the life of William Foraker. Here is a short description: The Story of One William Foraker is a deeply moving, true account of a family's battle with the devastating impact of untreated mental illness. Written by parents Phyllis and David Michael Foraker, this gripping narrative follows the life of their son, William, whose bright future was slowly derailed by the insidious grip of paranoid schizophrenia. Told with raw honesty and compassion, the book sheds light on the heartbreaking realities faced by families navigating a fractured mental healthcare system. From William’s early childhood illnesses to his struggles in adulthood with severe psychosis, his story serves as both a personal tragedy and a call to action for mental health reform. Through alternating perspectives—including law enforcement, family, and William himself—the book paints a poignant portrait of resilience, unconditional love, and the urgent societal need to address the mental health crisis. The Story of One William Foraker is a testament to the Forakers’ unwavering devotion and a voice for countless families still fighting for their loved ones.

Classmate Memories

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William Phyllis Foraker '96 posted a photo:

After high school, William went on to study at UCLA, earning degrees in both History and Political Science. In his senior year at UCLA, he spent two quarters studying at the U.C. in D.C. Political Science Center where he interned at the Woodrow Wilson Center. He worked as a project manager after graduating from UCLA.

Since moving to Colorado, Will became very proficient in the art of fly fishing. It's no exaggeration to say that he probably fished every mile of every fishable stream and reservoir in a 74-mile radius. Will was a kind and caring person, a loving son, and a generous brother. He had a heart as big as the sky, and who were fortunate enough to know him will miss him deeply. He was called "smiley" in school because of his perpetual smile.

Posted May 6th, 2025

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