SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - In 1962, Gen. William Kunzig, West Point Class of 1932, retired from his final Army posting at the Presidio.

At that point, Kunzig, an Army brat who’d lived at the Presidio as a child and had been instrumental in training the forces that stormed Utah and Omaha beaches during the invasion of Normandy on D-Day, decided to put down roots in San Francisco. Kunzig and his wife, Vivian, lived in a rented Marina home for a few years, before buying a house at 2946 22nd Ave., in Merced Manor.

Today, April 26, Gen. William B. Kunzig, U.S. Army (ret.) turns 98.

Last year, as the only surviving member of his West Point class, Kunzig walked 300 yards across the parade grounds while a confused aide pushed an empty wheelchair.

This year, Kunzig and Vivian are selling the home they’ve lived in for more than 40 years. They will move to assisted living on 19th Avenue, not too far from their former home.

“It’s starting to catch up to me,” says Kunzig.

The home, a large 1933 Spanish-Mediterranean, bears the wear and tear of the past 40 years. Kunzig, a hotel owner following his military retirement, loved nothing more than to entertain in his downstairs “social room,” a rec room that includes a bar and a slot machine that, Kunzig’s son asserts, “has only been beaten once, by Ben Swig,” at a Kunzig party.

“I’d like to be buried under the floor [of the social room],” Kunzig jokes.

William and Vivian Kunzig, who is originally from San Antonio, have been married for 69 years. They met on a blind date, “and were engaged by the third date,” says Kunzig. In their day, they frequented nearby restaurants including Marcello’s, the Gold Mirror and Val’s. Kunzig logged several miles a day walking and was an avid golfer until giving up the game at age 94.

Rita Bagdasarian, a broker with Barbagelata who has sold real estate in San Francisco since 1976, is the listing agent for 2946 22nd Ave. She will be holding an open house Sunday, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Old soldier William Kunzig isn’t ready to fade away just yet. Maybe it’s time for some well-earned R&R.

lrosen@examiner.com