William Willie Richard Della Maggiore

Willie was born in San Jose on January 13, 1925, to Elisio and Elide Della Maggiore, Italian immigrants. His early childhood was spent on his family’s Almaden Quick Silver Mines Ranch. The family later settled on Kifer Road in Santa Clara; there they established a ranch where they raised hogs and grew green beans and green onions. Though life on the ranch was hard, where they lacked material wealth, they were rich in love, faith and family tradition. The pig ranch was the setting of stories shared at many family gatherings. It was this upbringing that taught Willie the true value of hard work and the meaning of family.

Willie attended Jefferson Grammar School and Santa Clara High School. He joined the United States Navy in 1944 and served as a Chief Boatswain’s Mate on the U.S.S. Telfair (APA-210) during World War II in the Pacific Theater. While supporting the Pacific Fleet, he narrowly escaped injury during a Kamakaze attack. He was part of the first invasionary force that occupied Okinawa, Japan at the close of World War II. He was very proud to have served his country.

Upon returning from the war, he briefly worked on the family farm until becoming a truck driver. On October 5, 1950, Willie exchanged wedding vows with Lela Meiers. They were blessed with four beautiful children, Alan “Skip,” Michael, Eleda “Tude,” and Wendy. The blessings continued with seven grandchildren: Mike, Will, Tirina, Mario, Travis, Kelly and Kevin and five great grandchildren: Mikey, Alex, Madeline, Brock, and Blaine.

In 1957 he confounded T&D Tile Company in santa clara with Joseph Teixeira. T&D Tile was his greatest professional achievement and is still in business after more than 50 years. He was well known and highly respected in the tile industry. He ran his business with honesty and integrity. The company is now owned by his three children and operated by his son and grandsons.

Willie was involved in many organizations, including the American legion Post 419, the Italian American Club and the San Jose Civic Club. But it was the American legion where he formed lifelong friendships and spent his afternoon’s playing cards and drinking Cutty with his pals. Will was a founding member of Vahl’s Thursday Lunch Group. He looked forward to his weekly outings with his friends and family.

Willie was a master gardener. His vegetable garden, particularly his tomatoes and herbs, was his pride and Joy. He used many of these homegrown ingredients to make his famous spaghetti sauce. Will was an incredible cook; he shared his cooking as an expression of his love to all who entered his home. Willie’s passion for cooking came from his mother and was passed down to his children. As his parents would say, “Mangia!”

The highlight of Will’s summers were his annual trips to Hot August Nights in Reno where he showcased his 1949 Cadillac-memories his friends and family will always cherish. Another annual tradition in Reno was the Super Bowl parties held at the Peppermill (Go Raiders!).

Willie was preceded in death by his devoted wife, Lela, and son, Mike. He was a loving father to Skip, Mike, Tude, and Wendy; father in-law to David O’Connell and Terry Callahan; grandfather to Mike, Will, Tirina (Mike Barnes), and Mario Della Maggiore, Travis and Kelly O’Connell, and Kevin Callahan; great grandfather to Mikey, Alex, and Madeline Della Maggiore, and Brock and Blaine Barnes; beloved brother to Gloria Della Maggiore Citti (Fedele) and Richard Della Maggiore (Joan); cherished uncle to Gary, Chris Citti and Adrianna Citti Glascott, JulieDella Maggiore Houle, Joe, Rich and Nick Della Maggiore, Shandy Grace, Kathy Newman and Tammi Odell. He was loved by numerous cousins, countless friends and beloved dogs, Duke I, Duke II, DukeIII, and Duke IV.

Willie was the embodiment of the American Dream. The son of immigrant parents, he used the lessons of his childhood to become a success in every aspect of his life. Though he was a man of few words, it was important to him to tell his family and friends how much he loved them every day. We are grateful and blessed for all the gifts he gave us. And now we can rest assured knowing he is truly in God’s loving arms in perfect peace reunited with his loved ones.

He will be greatly missed and always remembered for his wisdom, kindness, generosity, wit and love. In the famous last words of Willie--“No problem!”