Willy German Yamamoto

September 24, 1932 - January 8, 2025

Raleigh, North Carolina

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Willy German Yamamoto, who departed this life on January 8, 2025 in Holly Springs, North Carolina. His kindness, decency, wisdom, and extraordinary ability to make even the everyday moments special is an enduring example to us all. He will forever be remembered for his honesty and patience, his ability to remain authentic in every situation, and his quiet strength that brought a calming presence wherever he was.

Though he will be deeply missed by all who knew him, we are so grateful for his long and happy life and the part of his journey he shared with us.

Willy was born on September 24, 1932 in Siglo Veinte, Potosi, Bolivia to Victor Kitaro Yamamoto and Rita Maldonado de Yamamoto. He was the beloved husband to Diane Williams Yamamoto, his wife of 65 years, brother to his siblings, Estella, Lily, and Teresa and a cherished parent to his four children, Willy, Joe (Peppy), Brian and Julie.

The child of an immigrant parent and later an immigrant himself, Willy came to the United States in 1952 after distinguishing himself at Colegio LaSalle and in the Bolivian army. Having experienced the uncertainty of the Second World War and with Bolivia in the throes of a Revolution, Willy’s parents encouraged him to seek opportunity in the United States. When asked if he felt anxious about such a big journey, he simply replied, “No.” Though he couldn’t know at 20 years old how his journey would take shape, or the adventures that were to unfold, the faith and optimism that were such a part of his character cemented his belief that things would be OK. In the end, they were better than okay. His journey brought him to Raleigh and NC State College where he earned his Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering and where he met his future wife, who was a student at Meredith College.

After graduating, he worked with the Industrial Extension Service at NC State and later contributed to the agricultural, defense, and furniture industries before devoting his career to UNC Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill. There, he established the Management Engineering Department and developed innovative staff scheduling models that continue to be used in hospitals today. Though he was dedicated to his work, his greatest joy was family and friends. He always made time for them, ensuring they felt important and deeply cherished.

Willy was a proud Wolfpacker for life and he followed NC State football and men’s basketball well into retirement. He enjoyed Latin music, playing golf, the joy of “gallivanting” to find a new restaurant and sharing that discovery, and especially, soccer. As one of the founders of the Raleigh Soccer League in 1971 (later the Capital Area Soccer League and now known as NCFC Youth), he brought his boyhood passion to Raleigh. He was honored in 2011 as a Distinguished Alumnus by the NC State University Industrial and Systems Engineering Department for his contributions to hospital systems management. He also served as president of the North Carolina Partners of the Americas, traveling back to Bolivia to forge relationships with healthcare professionals in both countries and sharing his knowledge of hospital systems management and administration. These are just some of his enduring legacies.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Rita Yamamoto, and his sisters, Estella and Lily.

He is survived by his wife Diane, sister Teresa, children Willy (Helen), Joe (Annie), Brian (Pope), and Julie (Diane), grandchildren Anthony (Michelle), Weatherly (Michael), Jared (Christina), Hallie, Dylan, Aimee (Will), Alex, Adeline, Ellie, and Tessa, and great-grandchildren Sadie, Maddie, and Lando.

A funeral Mass will be held Friday, January 24 at Saint Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, 3008 Old Raleigh Road, Apex, NC 27502. The family will welcome friends at 10:15, followed by a eulogy at 10:50 and Mass at 11. The inurnment and a reception will follow immediately.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to the Raleigh International Festival or a charity of your choice.

Adiós Papa

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