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Huntington Beach father with terminal cancer watches daughter graduate high school in special ceremony

March 18, 2026

When Bill Kerwin received his terminal cancer diagnosis a month ago, he said his one wish was to see his daughter graduate high school.

Against a golden sunset Monday evening, hundreds of friends and loved ones watched Kerwin present 18-year-old Abbi, dressed in a white graduation gown and cap, with her diploma at an early graduation ceremony arranged at Bolsa View Park.

Friends and family of Bill Kerwin reach out to him as he moves down the aisle during the early graduation ceremony for his daughter Abbi Kerwin at Bolsa View Park in Huntington Beach on Monday, March 16, 2026. Kerwin, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is not expected to survive until Huntington Beach High’s graduation in June, so with the help of the HBUHSD, Supervisor Janet Nguyen, and the City of Huntington Beach, they were able to arrange an early graduation for Abbi so her father could attend. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Huntington Beach High School principal Danny Morris, is overcome with emotion as he grips the hand of Bill Kerwin during the early graduation ceremony for Kerwin’s daughter, Abbi, left, at Bolsa View Park in Huntington Beach on Monday, March 16, 2026. Huntington Beach High School principal Danny Morris is overcome with emotion as he grips the hand of Bill Kerwin during the early graduation ceremony for Kerwin’s daughter, Abbi, left, at Bolsa View Park in Huntington Beach on Monday, March 16, 2026. Bill Kerwin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is not expected to survive until Huntington Beach High’s graduation in June, so with the help of the HBUHSD, Supervisor Janet Nguyen, and the City of Huntington Beach, they were able to arrange an early graduation for Abbi, so her father could attend. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Bill Kerwin, center, poses for a photo with his daughter, Abbi, left, son Chance and wife Kim following the early graduation ceremony for Abbi at Bolsa View Park in Huntington Beach on Monday, March 16, 2026. Bill Kerwin, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is not expected to survive until Huntington Beach High’s graduation in June, so with the help of the HBUHSD, Supervisor Janet Nguyen, and the City of Huntington Beach, they were able to arrange an early graduation for Abbi, so her father could attend. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Katie Boatman, 17, is overcome with emotion during the early graduation ceremony for Huntington Beach High senior Abbi Kerwin at Bolsa View Park in Huntington Beach on Monday, March 16, 2026. Abbi’s father, Bill Kerwin, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is not expected to survive until Huntington Beach High’s graduation in June, so with the help of the HBUHSD, Supervisor Janet Nguyen, and the City of Huntington Beach, they were able to arrange an early graduation for Abbi, so her father could attend. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Huntington Beach High School senior Abbi Kerwin, left, embraces her father Bill after he presented her with a diploma during a special graduation ceremony at Bolsa View Park in Huntington Beach on Monday, March 16, 2026. Bill Kerwin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is not expected to survive until Huntington Beach High’s graduation in June, so with the help of the HBUHSD, Supervisor Janet Nguyen, and the City of Huntington Beach, they were able to arrange an early graduation for Abbi, so her father could attend. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Kiki Rebert, 6, who lives next door to Abbi Kerwin, hugs her at her early graduation ceremony at Bolsa View Park in Huntington Beach on Monday, March 16, 2026. Abbi’s father, Bill Kerwin, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is not expected to survive until Huntington Beach High’s graduation in June, so with the help of the HBUHSD, Supervisor Janet Nguyen, and the City of Huntington Beach, they were able to arrange an early graduation for Abbi so her father could attend. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Bill Kerwin, left, shares a conversation with Christine Nguyen, who worked with Bill following an early graduation ceremony for Kerwin’s daughter, Huntington Beach High senior Abbi Kerwin at Bolsa View Park in Huntington Beach on Monday, March 16, 2026. Kerwin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is not expected to survive until Huntington Beach High’s graduation in June, so with the help of the HBUHSD, Supervisor Janet Nguyen, and the City of Huntington Beach, they were able to arrange an early graduation for Abbi, so her father could attend. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Friends, family, Huntington Beach High students and others attend an the early graduation ceremony for Abbi Kerwin at Bolsa View Park in Huntington Beach on Monday, March 16, 2026. Abbi’s father, Bill Kerwin, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is not expected to survive until Huntington Beach High’s graduation in June, so with the help of the HBUHSD, Supervisor Janet Nguyen, and the City of Huntington Beach, they were able to arrange an early graduation for Abbi, so her father could attend. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Huntington Beach High School principal Danny Morris, right, hugs Abbi Kerwin after her early graduation ceremony at Bolsa View Park in Huntington Beach on Monday, March 16, 2026. Abbi’s father, Bill Kerwin, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is not expected to survive until Huntington Beach High’s graduation in June, so with the help of the HBUHSD, Supervisor Janet Nguyen, and the City of Huntington Beach, they were able to arrange an early graduation for Abbi, so her father could attend. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Huntington Beach High graduate Abbi Kerwin, right, holds the hand of her father, Bill Kerwin, as she speaks during an early graduation ceremony at Bolsa View Park in Huntington Beach on Monday, March 16, 2026. Bill Kerwin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is not expected to survive until Huntington Beach High’s graduation in June, so with the help of the HBUHSD, Supervisor Janet Nguyen, and the City of Huntington Beach, they were able to arrange an early graduation for Abbi, so her father could attend. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Sophia Conne, 17, left, and Tatum Viezbicke, 18, are overcome with emotion as classmates of Abbi Kerwin join them during her early Huntington Beach High graduation ceremony at Bolsa View Park in Huntington Beach on Monday, March 16, 2026. Abbi’s father, Bill Kerwin, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is not expected to survive until Huntington Beach High’s graduation in June, so with the help of the HBUHSD, Supervisor Janet Nguyen, and the City of Huntington Beach, they were able to arrange an early graduation for Abbi so her father could attend. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

In honor of Bill Kerwinâs, center, upcoming birthday, he is...

In honor of Bill Kerwin’s, center, upcoming birthday, he is joined on stage by his family, from left, son Chance, daughter Abbi and his wife Kim as a birthday cake is lit for him following an early graduation ceremony for his daughter Abbi Kerwin at Bolsa View Park in Huntington Beach on Monday, March 16, 2026. Bill Kerwin, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is not expected to survive until Huntington Beach High’s graduation in June, so with the help of the HBUHSD, Supervisor Janet Nguyen, and the City of Huntington Beach, they were able to arrange an early graduation for Abbi so her father could attend. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

New Huntington Beach High graduate, Abbi Kerwin, left, poses for a photo with classmate Hannah Sandoz following an early graduation ceremony for Abbi at Bolsa View Park in Huntington Beach on Monday, March 16, 2026. Abbi’s father, Bill Kerwin, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is not expected to survive until Huntington Beach High’s graduation in June, so with the help of the HBUHSD, Supervisor Janet Nguyen, and the City of Huntington Beach, they were able to arrange an early graduation for Abbi, so her father could attend. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Huntington Beach High School senior Abbi Kerwin, left, kisses her father Bill after he presented her with a diploma during a special graduation ceremony at Bolsa View Park in Huntington Beach on Monday, March 16, 2026. Bill Kerwin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is not expected to survive until Huntington Beach High’s graduation in June, so with the help of the HBUHSD, Supervisor Janet Nguyen, and the City of Huntington Beach, they were able to arrange an early graduation for Abbi, so her father could attend. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Surrounded by her classmates, Abbi Kerwin tosses her graduation cap into the air after graduating from Huntington Beach High School in an early graduation ceremony at Bolsa View Park in Huntington Beach on Monday, March 16, 2026. Abbi’s father, Bill Kerwin, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is not expected to survive until Huntington Beach High’s graduation in June, so with the help of the HBUHSD, Supervisor Janet Nguyen, and the City of Huntington Beach, they were able to arrange an early graduation for Abbi so her father could attend. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

New Huntington Beach High graduate, Abbi Kerwin, center, rubs the beard of her father Bill, as they pose for a group photo with Abbi’s classmates after an early graduation ceremony at Bolsa View Park in Huntington Beach on Monday, March 16, 2026. Abbi’s father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is not expected to survive until Huntington Beach High’s graduation in June, so with the help of the HBUHSD, Supervisor Janet Nguyen, and the City of Huntington Beach, they were able to arrange an early graduation for Abbi, so her father could attend. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Bill Kerwin gives thumbs up as he arrives to his daughter Abbi’s early graduation ceremony at Bolsa View Park in Huntington Beach on Monday, March 16, 2026. Bill Kerwin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is not expected to survive until Huntington Beach High’s graduation in June, so with the help of the HBUHSD, Supervisor Janet Nguyen, and the City of Huntington Beach, they were able to arrange an early graduation for Abbi, so her father could attend. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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“You’re the best man I’ve ever met, and I’m so proud to receive my diploma from you,” Abbi Kerwin, a senior at Huntington Beach High School, told her father on stage.

Bill Kerwin said in an interview on Tuesday that he is “incredibly proud” of his daughter’s achievements and deeply grateful to his community for organizing the event.

“It’s a testament to her incredible drive and work ethic,” Kerwin said, adding. “It was a special, heartfelt, deep and emotional experience. It just made my heart sing.”

Bill Kerwin, a respected veteran and youth sports coach, was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in early February.

First District Supervisor Janet Nguyen, a long-time friend of Kerwin’s, said she learned Friday that his condition had deteriorated and that he had stopped treatment. Over the weekend, Nguyen said she and 15 other parents came together and leveraged their connections to make sure that Kerwin could watch his daughter reach the major milestone.

“He’s a great man who contributed so much to this country, to this community,” Nguyen said. “We wanted to make sure he would be there for his daughter.”

The parents contacted the Huntington Beach Union High School District, the Police Department and other community leaders to arrange the special graduation ceremony near the Kerwins’ home. Abbi Kerwin’s fellow students, her high school principal, the district superintendent, board of education trustees and several city council members attended to celebrate the moment, Nguyen said.

Kerwin, a former lawyer, has worked in administration for the school district since 2018. He has also coached many children in the community throughout the years in basketball, soccer and baseball, Nguyen said, including her son.

“It was great seeing family and friends I haven’t seen in a while show up and say thank you,” Kerwin said, reflecting on the impact he’s made on the youth of Huntington Beach. “I didn’t expect it. It’s overwhelming.”

For his many contributions, Huntington Beach councilmembers announced that they will be dedicating a bench at Bolsa View Park in Kerwin’s memory.

Then, as night fell and the ceremony drew to a close, his friends and family brought out a cake to celebrate his upcoming 62nd birthday on March 26.

“There’s a symmetry to my life,” Kerwin observed, with humor.

Huntington Beach father with terminal cancer watches daughter graduate high school in special ceremony Orange County Register

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