Tribute to Daryl Willey, P.E.
Oct. 14, 2025
Tribute to Daryl Willey, P.E.
It is with great sadness that we remember our colleague and friend, Daryl Willey, whose passing deeply touched all of us who had the honor of working alongside him. Daryl was a cornerstone of California’s building safety community—respected not only for his deep technical expertise, but also for his humility, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to public service.
Daryl joined Bureau Veritas in October 2012, where he most recently served as the Building Official for the City of Turlock. Over the course of his career, he became known as a trusted voice in code compliance and community safety, guiding jurisdictions, builders, and fellow officials with quiet confidence and integrity.
Before joining Bureau Veritas, Daryl served the City of Modesto for nearly 30 years as Chief Building Official, following earlier roles as Acting Deputy Director of Engineering and Senior Engineer with Pacific Gas & Electric. In those positions, he oversaw inspection programs, coordinated with planning and public works departments, and represented the city at countless council and community meetings. He successfully completed major building code enforcement initiatives, including the inspection of 25 commercial blocks in downtown Modesto, and worked tirelessly to uphold the highest standards of safety and accountability.
Daryl’s inspection experience was both broad and deep—spanning residential (single- and multi-family), industrial, hospital, commercial, and multi-story (2–15 story) buildings. His expertise and leadership helped ensure the safety of structures across California’s communities, from local neighborhoods to large-scale industrial and commercial developments.
As an Adjunct Professor at Modesto Junior College from 1977 to 2010, Daryl taught both Structural and Non-Structural Building Codes, emphasizing fire and life safety, disabled access, and wood-frame construction. His decades of instruction inspired generations of engineers, plan reviewers, and inspectors, and his approachable, generous teaching style left a lasting imprint on everyone who had the privilege of learning from him.
At Bureau Veritas, Daryl continued to elevate the profession through his work with municipalities such as the City of Patterson, where he provided building official services, directed and coordinated code enforcement, and served as Inspector of Record for Amazon (1 million sq. ft., concrete tilt-up) and Restoration Hardware (1.5 million sq. ft., tilt-up and steel-frame office and warehouse). His ability to find practical solutions to complex code issues made him a trusted partner to cities, contractors, and developers alike.
Throughout his career, Daryl’s leadership extended far beyond the projects he touched. He was a Past President of the California Building Officials (CALBO – 2003 - 2004) and served on the CALBO Board of Directors from 1997–2005. He also held key roles as Vice Chair and Commissioner of the CALBO Training Institute, chaired the Strategic Plan and Code Development Committees, and contributed to the Housing and Community Committee. In addition, he was a Past President of the ICC Yosemite Chapter, and a recipient of the Building Official of the Year Award, recognizing his lifetime of service and professional excellence.
Daryl’s commitment to education and public communication was evident in every facet of his work. He authored the “Bulletin for Builders” to keep the public informed of new policies and safety procedures, championed the development of fair and effective building codes, and was always willing to lend his time, knowledge, and guidance to others.
Those who knew Daryl will remember him as thoughtful, steady, and unfailingly kind—a true gentleman of the profession. He exemplified the spirit of service that defines our industry, never seeking recognition, but always earning it through the quality of his work and the sincerity of his character.
Daryl is survived by his wife Kathie, daughters Laurel and Teresa, and one beloved granddaughter. His loss leaves a profound void in the Bureau Veritas family and across the broader building safety community. Yet his legacy—of knowledge, mentorship, integrity, and care—will continue to shape the people and projects he so passionately influenced for decades to come.
May we honor his memory by carrying forward the same dedication, humility, and compassion that defined his life and career.
