William Humphrey

William Humphrey, 88, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family. Born on 19 July 1937 in Barranquilla, Colombia, he spent his early years along the Caribbean coast before moving to Dallas, Texas, as a teenager—a transition that marked the beginning of a life defined by resilience, service, and a deep commitment to the country he would soon call his own.

At 18, William enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on 14 November 1955, attending recruit training in San Diego, California, where he earned his naturalized U.S. citizenship. His military records contain a distinctive and meaningful note: he initially entered service under the name Guillermo Montoya, which was later lined out and replaced with William Humphrey—a symbolic moment reflecting both his heritage and his chosen identity as an American Marine.

From February 1956 to November 1958, William served with the 1st Infantry Battalion at Camp Pendleton, California, performing the essential duties of Wireman and Radio Operator. He completed his active Marine Corps service with honor, receiving an Honorable Discharge on 9 November 1961.

His dedication to service continued when he entered the United States Navy Reserve on 26 January 1962 in Benton Harbor, Michigan. There, he contributed his discipline, technical skill, and unwavering sense of duty to the nation’s defense until his Honorable Discharge on 25 January 1966.

Throughout his military career, William earned several qualifications and distinctions, including Marksman ratings with both the M1 rifle and .45 caliber pistol. In 1957, he completed USMC Frogman training at the Aqua Lung Diving School in Okinawa—a demanding program that reflected his courage, endurance, and willingness to take on the most challenging tasks. He also trained as a two-way radio repairman and heavy equipment operator, demonstrating a versatility that made him invaluable in multiple roles.

His service was recognized with several military awards, including the U.S. Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, and the Marksman Rifle Badge—each a testament to his discipline, skill, and steadfast commitment.

His records also contain a small but memorable footnote: despite being a fluent Spanish speaker born and raised in Colombia; William failed the Marine Corps foreign language test for Spanish on 23 June 1958. When asked about it years later, he told his son Ralph that after living in the United States for so long, he had spoken only English for years and had simply fallen out of practice with his native tongue. He shared the story with a smile—a reminder of how fully he embraced his new life and identity.

After his military service, William spent a few years in sales as a pie salesman—a chapter his older son remembers with great affection. To this day, he keeps a frozen pie in his freezer as a small tribute to that time. The remainder of William’s professional life was devoted to construction, a field he not only excelled in but truly loved. He could build anything, from a family home to a major shopping center, and he approached every project with pride and craftsmanship.

In his early years working in Michigan, William and his brother labored side by side, earning a reputation for their unmatched work ethic. Hard work ran in their veins, and no one could outwork them. William’s older son fondly recalls joining his father and uncle on pole-barn projects—memories that shaped his understanding of dedication and family.

William’s construction career eventually took him to Houston, Texas, where he managed a large family-home development project. Houston also became the place where William and Karen began their life together, a partnership that would span 45 years of marriage. After meeting in Kankakee, Illinois, they quickly became

inseparable. Karen’s son, Kurt, joined the family, and Houston became the setting where William’s daughter and two sons met Kurt and formed a brotherly bond that remains strong to this day.

Those years in Houston were filled with growth, connection, and time spent on the lake boating—a passion William carried throughout his life. William’s daughter Ana was a frequent visitor and would eventually make Texas her home. Later, William and Karen moved to Tampa, settling along the beautiful Hillsborough River in a home that became a beloved gathering place for family, complete with a stunning view of the Tampa skyline.

William continued his work in construction, lending his expertise to a wide range of projects. He was especially proud of his contributions to U.S. Government construction projects in the greater Tampa area. In time, he also built a successful landscaping business that supported the family for many years.

William worked up until the very end, driven by a lifelong desire to stay productive, contribute, and connect with others. He was so proud that his three sons served in the military, the USAF, USMC, and USA. William frequently shared how fond he was of his son-in-law Brad whom he remained close with throughout the years. His hands were rarely still, and his heart was always invested in the people and projects around him.

William was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Ana Humphrey; his daughter, Ana Broekstra; and his sisters Cecilia Howard, Floy Ivey, and Anita Carrol.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Karen Humphrey; his brother Joe Humphrey and Joe’s wife, Jody; his sons Ralph Humphrey and wife, Kathy, and Richard Humphrey and wife, Anita; his stepson Kurt Goodwin and fiancé Tammy Reed; adopted daughter Tracy Sarallo, and his son-in-law Brad Broekstra and wife, Diane. He leaves behind granddaughters Chelsea Bienvenu and husband, Kirk; Waverly Kosinski and husband, Chris; Tayler Humphrey; Haley Jourdan and husband, Cameron; Jennifer Humphrey and Katelyn Selby and husband Zach. Grandson Thomas Richards and wife Meaghan. Known as Uncle Bill to his sister Floy’s daughters Cenita Ettl and Celeste Kupperbusch. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren who brought him immense joy.

William’s journey—from Colombia to Texas, from Guillermo to William, from immigrant to Marine and sailor—embodied determination, loyalty, and the profound meaning of service. His life stands as a testament to hard work, gratitude, and the belief that one can build a new future while honoring where they came from.

He will be remembered with deep respect, gratitude, and love.