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Frankly, I don't think I can improve on the text provided on the restaurant placemat found at WAVES Smokehouse and Saloon, so here goes:

"Born on December 25th, 1884, William Fenerin was the son of Irish immigrants. Originally O'Finneran, the name was simplified to "Fenerin" upon the family's arrival in the US. William was eventually nicknamed "Billy Finley" because it was easier to say.

"In 1916, Billy Finley purchased this corner building (65 Post[El Dorado]) for continued use as a saloon and gambling place on the first floor, and used the second floor as his residence."

"Billy Finley worked as a bail bondsman and moneylender. An avid sports fan, he was frequently described by local newspapers as a well know sportsman and managed a group of fighters that fought matches around Northern California. Despite his being slight in stature (5'4" - 140 lbs), he was considered dangerous. Billy enjoyed the bar's products as much as the next man, and was one of the saloons best customers. He was usually the one who was breaking up fights in his bar - or starting fights, which he usually won."

"During prohibition (1920 - 1933) Billy became "Billy the Barber," running a three seat barbershop in the front of the building while supplying San Jose with alcohol by way of his bootlegging operation in the back. He also sublet a back room of the building to a Chinese lottery man. After prohibition, Billy resumed his bar business for several more years, until losing his liquor license in 1945 due to excessive fighting in the saloon. He remained owner of the building, but sold the business to his right hand man, bartender Louis Albertini."

"On March 17th, 1956, during the San Francisco St. Patrick's Day Parade, Billy met his tragic end by falling out of a 4th story hotel window."

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