William Yuen Tai passed away peacefully on July 8, 2026, at Tufts Medical Center, surrounded by his family.

Bill was born and raised in Guangzhou, China. He chose July 19, 1941, as his birthdate when he immigrated to the United States. As a youth, he was an avid soccer player and remained a lifelong, hardcore fan of the game — this year's World Cup Final falls on what would have been his 85th birthday, and he would have happily watched the match. Beyond soccer, Bill was a passionate sports fan in general and proudly cheered for all of the Boston and New England teams.

He settled in the United States in 1966, eventually making Boston, Massachusetts, his home. In 1974, he returned to Hong Kong to marry King Tsun (Kerstin), his neighborhood sweetheart. He worked in many Chinese restaurants throughout Greater Boston as a chef and waiter, and was known for his warmth, dedication, and welcoming spirit. A social person at heart, Bill loved being around his friends. He cherished the community he found among fellow Chinese immigrants — one of his greatest joys was a table full of family, friends, and dim sum. After experiencing kidney failure in 2006, Bill was on the National Kidney Waiting List for 10 months before receiving a miraculous life-extending kidney transplant — we are so thankful he had this opportunity.

Above all, Bill was a devoted husband of almost 52 years, a loving father, uncle, brother, and cousin who beamed his big smile every time he saw his family. He is survived by his wife, Kerstin; his daughters, Carrie and Marie; and numerous extended family members and friends who will remember him fondly.

A service will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. at Wing Fook Funeral Home in Boston, MA. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the United Network for Organ Sharing, National Kidney Foundation, or Tufts Medical Center.