Born in Rosebud, Texas 100 years ago, life became a serious challenge for William Leach at an early age. His mother died when he was five, leaving him an orphan.

Even as a young kid he looked for “any work I could find—housework, anything,” he recalls. “There wasn’t much money in those days.” Fortunately, an “auntie” took him in and taught him to cook. “I moved to Houston when I was nine and got a job as a cook’s assistant,” the Dalt Hotel resident says. That was the beginning of a life long career as a cook.

“I had it up here,” he says tapping his head. “I wasn’t one of those kids who gets in trouble. I was kind and nice to people—not sassy. I didn’t have any schooling, only one month. I taught myself to read and write.”

After his cooking career in Texas, Leach joined the railroad and became a Pullman cook. He moved to the Bay Are in the 1940s where he has lived since.

“I got a job as a Pullman cook in the 1930s and worked for the railroad for until I retired,” he says.

After retirement he had some cooking jobs and lived various places in the San Francisco. He has been at Dalt, 34 Turk St., for about 10 years on a modest pension and Social Security. Like many of TNDC’s senior residents he receives home-care. This makes it possible for him to live independently. “I have no complaints about this place,” he says. “I get along anywhere I go.”

What does Leach see as different in America from the days of yore? “Too much foul language now” is one of his answers. “When I hear it, I get up and move. Today is different. People don’t treat each other with kindness. Everyone’s always in a hurry. They want money too fast.”

As to the inevitable question about his longevity, Leach says, “I take care of myself. I live a good life. No heavy drinking. I treat people right—with respect. And I’m always clean and well dressed.”

Indeed Leach is a well groomed courtly old gentleman who commands respect by his very presence. “I have lots of respect for him,” says Manzine Miller, a fellow Dalt resident who has known Leach for 40 years. “He’s a hell of a nice guy.

“You never see him arguing. He treats people right. Everyone is always shaking his hand. I like the way he carries himself and he is always well dressed. He takes care of himself. But he seems a very lonely guy.” Not surprising when you consider that all his peers are gone and he has no family.

Although he tends to stay in his room, Leach does participate in community events at the Dalt. Although he’s a bit frail, he is not weak or unable to function normally.

One of his favorite things to do is walk up the hill to Lefty O’Douls on Geary for lunch with his friend Miller. Not a bad hike for a centenarian.