BYRON -- A motorcyclist who was killed in a crash Monday afternoon was a caring father who will be remembered most for his constant love and support, his son said Tuesday.

William Kapell, 41, of Brentwood, was fatally injured in the crash, which took place around 4:15 p.m. on Byron Highway near Bruns Road. No other vehicles were involved and no other injuries were reported.

California Highway Patrol spokeswoman Sgt. Diana McDermott said a tractor, which was driving eastbound on Byron Highway, began a left-hand turn, not seeing Kapell's motorcycle. Kapell attempted to veer around the tractor, but caught its wheel as he passed. He was thrown and fatally injured.

William Kapell grew up in the San Jose area

"He always wanted me to do better, always pushed me," Derek Kapell said. "He wanted me to have a better life than he did."

Derek Kapell remembered sharing outdoor activities like wakeboarding and riding dirt bikes with his dad. Wakeboarding was also an activity William Kapell shared with his good friend of about seven years, Gary Haavisto.

"He'd give the shirt off his back for anybody," Haavisto said. "He was always there to help the community."

Haavisto recalled frequent boating trips with his family and the Kapells in the Delta.

Kapell was a "hell of a worker" who "enjoyed life to the fullest," according to Roland Valle of Silicon Valley Mechanical in San Jose. Kapell was a foreman and a member of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association.

William Kapell is survived by his wife, Marcie, his son, Derek, his mother and two sisters.

Contact Daniel M. Jimenez at djimenez@bayareanewsgroup.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/DMJreports.