William A. Perez

William Anthony Perez passed away at the age of 66 in Moreno Valley, California on Sunday, November 29, 2015 surrounded by the love of his family. He was born on Monday, June 13, 1949 in Santurce, Puerto Rico to his mother and father Marcelino and Celia Perez. At the age of 19 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served for 4 years and was a sergeant with honorable discharge.

Our father built a career as a bookkeeper and business owner opening his own cleaners where he met the woman of his dreams and knew that God had given him a second chance at love. He married our mother and vowed his life as a loving husband and a father, as our protector who made us feel loved and safe. He had a tough exterior that only represented discipline and that discipline guarded what his heart truly was, warm, loving, and courageous. He was our teacher whose foundation was built through his faith in God. His dedication to God was exemplary through his involvement in the passion play, and as a Sunday school teacher. He instilled in us the importance of faith, morals and unconditional love. The person that knew the right words to say, how to console, and give advice not just to his children but to our friends new and old.

In 2003 California became his new home where he would receive better care for him and our mother. He was very active at the Moreno Valley senior center, his second home, where he became the coordinator of the pool hall and earned the title as King of the hill. He took his job very serious and gained the respect and love from many friends who he considered extended family. But we can never forget on his off days and after hours he spent his time with the love of his life playing dominoes, where he also claimed to be the king of the hill.

We will always remember his love for music, his salsa and oldies. His talent was unquestionable in dancing, singing, and playing instruments. We can always remember the sounds of his congas, and timbales during holidays. We always enjoyed Saturdays when he played his guitar as we sat in a circle listening to him play and sing, teaching us lullabies. He also had a passion for baseball where he played for the team the Rookies and carried that over to his son and coached his little league. We grew up in a home surrounded by the love for the Mets where we can still remember the excitement of the 1986 World Series. My father also loved a good joke, yet his humor was never mean spirited, nor designed to hurt or humiliate.

What brings us peace is knowing that he lives on in us, his children, his grandkids, and in all the people who have had the pleasure and privilege to know him and love him. He raised us to be strong, loving children who know and understand the value of family, true love, and hard work. The very core of his heart and soul is instilled in us and it will then be instilled in our children so that his memory lives on.

William is survived by his wife Maritza and his five children Laurie, Geneva, Juan and his wife Shandise, Yanel and her husband Michael, and Yesenia and her husband David, his thirteen grandchildren Myka, Tori, Justin, Michael, Carmen, Naomi, Christopher, Antonio, Amora, Jazzmia, Cristian, Donovan, and JaJuan. He is preceded in death by his parents, Marcelino and Celia Perez. He will truly and forever be missed!!

OUR GUARDIAN ANGEL

We can't believe you're gone Dad....

God came and took you by your hand.

Your body was too weak to fight his plan

So He took your soul and your ever after began.

As your angels prepared you for your heavenly flight

They whispered in your ear you can end your fight.

We hold comfort that you are no longer in the pain you had

For your angels came to ease your pain Dad.

We may never understand why your time had to come

But it eases us to know that at God's heavenly door you were welcomed.

God gained an angel who is brave and strong

We know you are home right where you belong.

You loved your wife and raised good kids And instilled in us to take advantage of what life has to give.

You will live on in the memories and stories you told

And in the teachings we give to your grandkids that they now hold

We'll miss your presence and the way you cared

We'll miss our hero and the times we shared

We'll have to learn to live on although at times we will be sad

We now have a Guardian Angel we know and love and we call him Dad

~ Your loving daughter Yanel Perez

Miller-Jones Mortuary & Crematory is honored to have been entrusted with the care and final arrangements for Mr. Perez.

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Questions regarding Obituary Contact our Miller-Jones staff at (951)485-4542