1929-2021

On November 27, 2021, Chinatown said goodbye to Bill Chin, widely known throughout the community as “Uncle Bill”. Born locally in 1929 during the Chinese Exclusion Act, Uncle Bill was always keenly aware of the village that raised him, and lived to improve the quality of life of Chinese immigrants. His handprint can be found in many community-based projects in Chinatown, going back as far as the 1970’s. In 1996, the Boston Globe referred to Uncle Bill as the “Mayor of Chinatown”.  Throughout his time, Bill  befriended many prominent Bostonians, such as U.S. senator Edward Kennedy, congressman Joe Moakley, governor Michael Dukakis, and senate president Billy Bulger, who served in the same U.S. Army unit as Uncle Bill during the Korean War.  

Bulger has retold the story of the time he and Bill were marching in a brigade, when he was offered a ride in a military vehicle. Seeing Uncle Bill with a large, overloaded backpack, he responded, “If Chin marches, Bulger also marches!”  Uncle Bill’s close relationship with Bulger benefitted Chinatown in many ways, including the establishment of the Asian Pacific Rim Charter School, the South Cove Nursing Home and various low-income housing funds. Uncle Bill was an original member of the late 1960’s Grievance Task Force, which brought government officials to Chinatown to directly express hardships faced by its residents.  As president of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, he successfully negotiated with the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) and Tufts University for land transfers and funding to construct the housing complex Tai Tung Village. He also convinced city officials to transfer the former Josiah Quincy School to CCBA to build a community center. 

Uncle Bill’s roots align with many who shape Chinese-American history.  During the mid-1800’s, his grandfather, Ming Mow Chin, worked alongside the Northern Pacific Railroad, treating Chinese railroad workers with herbal medicine for their sore muscles and other ailments.  Afterwards, in 1905 he opened an herbal store, Wing On Tan, in Boston’s Chinatown at 38 Harrison Avenue. His son, Wah Chin, inherited the store, which also served as a community gathering spot where locals could receive news and mail from China.  

Wah Chin was a prominent businessman in Chinatown, and instilled in his children the importance of helping their community.  At a young age, Uncle Bill and his five siblings lost both parents, and went to China to be raised by their father’s first wife. They returned to Boston’s Chinatown as young adults, beginning in 1946, shortly after the war with Japan ended. They lived with a relative in a one-bedroom apartment on Oxford Street, and supported each other during difficult times. 

Uncle Bill was a self-made man who did many of the odd jobs available to Chinese Americans at the time, including working in hand laundries or restaurants.  After his military service, he was able to attend Burdett College under the GI bill and obtained an associates degree in business and accounting.  He then landed a job at State Street Bank. At age 31, he purchased the venue at 9 Tyler Street with other family members and named it China Pearl. 

The China Pearl became a community staple where traditional celebrations were held, such as weddings, birthdays, fundraisers and New Year’s banquets. Even the Democratic State Committee held its annual fundraiser here. It was also a popular destination for the non-Chinese crowd. “When my father was mayor, we would go to [China Pearl] on New Year’s Eve,” said city councilor Ed Flynn. 

Uncle Bill and his partners continued to open other Chinese restaurants in the Greater Boston area, owning 18 different businesses at their peak. He became a major employer in the community and could be seen many afternoons on Chinatown’s street corners, which had become an extension of his office. 

I first knew Uncle Bill as my father’s boss, as he was the head chef at China Pearl. We were similar to many immigrant families at this time: the father worked in a Chinese restaurant and the mother worked in a garment factory. I recall my father telling stories of how he would counsel his fellow cooks on working hard and saving money, and in return he would speak to Uncle Bill about sponsoring their families to join them in this country. There are hundreds of Chinatown families who were helped by Uncle Bill through employment, low-income housing or social programs. He was instrumental in raising funds for the South Cove Nursing Home, Kwong Kow Chinese School, Chinese American Civic Association and many other community organizations.   

“Billy represented what’s best about our city and country. He respected the community of Chinatown and our proud immigrant roots, and never forgot that there are people in need,” Flynn said, “Uncle Bill was a strong leader in providing compassion and dignity to so many throughout the Chinatown community.” 

Funeral services will be held at J.S.Watermen’s Chapel, 580 Commercial Street, Boston on December 17-18, 2021. 

For more information: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/boston-ma/billy-chin-10462701

Nancy Lo grew up in Boston’s South End and is active in many projects in Chinatown.  She is currently working on an oral history project called “Chinatown Stories” that is funded by MassHumanities.