2 Community Figures Who Shaped Generations Remembered In Redwood City

REDWOOD CITY, CA — Two men credited with shaping recreation and education in Redwood City were remembered by the City Council during a meeting that also celebrated the role parks play in the community.

The council honored the late Bill Wooten, a longtime recreation manager who helped dramatically expand the city's softball program, and James David Eakin, a founding faculty member at Cañada College and father of Vice Mayor Kaia Eakin.

"Bill was the softball guru. Everybody knew Bill in town," said Eric Newby, Redwood City's parks, recreation and community services manager. "Bill's name was synonymous with fun."

Newby began working for the city in 1986 and described Wooten as his mentor.

During his career, Wooten helped grow the city's softball program from 30 teams to more than 100 while overseeing men's, women's and co-ed leagues. His work also included swimming pools, fun runs and tournaments.

Newby credited Wooten with having a lasting impact on his own career.

"Bill built my career, my confidence, and opportunities that I will credit him my entire lifetime for," Newby said.

The council also adjourned its meeting in memory of Eakin, who joined Cañada College as one of its founding faculty members in 1968 and previously taught at Hillsdale and Aragon high schools.

Eakin also served in the Army in occupied Japan, studied at the Sorbonne in Paris and the University of Oregon, and later led study-abroad programs in France and Spain.

Vice Mayor Eakin said her father helped establish high educational standards in San Mateo County through his work at all three schools.

"Over his 42-year teaching career, he taught some 4,000 students, likely influencing some of their life choices," Eakin said. "My two sisters and I definitely have very big shoes to fill."

The recognition comes as Redwood City continues investing in its parks, including renovations at Red Morton Park and plans for new park space at the Bayfront and near the downtown library.