William Joseph Yepes

William J. Yepes, 99, of Tampa, passed away on December 4, 2021. He was born on August 15, 1922, in New York City; the son of Paul Yepes and Esther Arroyo. William was preceded in death by his wife, Lydia, of 64 years, and his daughters Evelyn Yebra and Elizabeth Mays, and by his nieces, Dolores Jackson and Tamara Booth. He is survived by his daughter, Esther Yepes, his granddaughter, Victoria Yepes Taylor (Kevin Taylor), his grandson, Adam Mays, and David Mays, his son-in-law. Also left to miss William: his sister and brother-in-law, Margie Yepes and John Garcia, his nephew John McBride and wife, Pam McBride; as well as his nieces and their children, Lourdes Knapp (Michael Knapp) from California and Angela Ourman from New York, and his nephew-in-law, Cole Booth, in Australia.

During World War II, William served in the Army Air Corp as a Bombardier on the B-17 (“the Flying Fortress”) with the 303rd Bomb Group, where he flew 28 combat missions over Germany. William was a proud member of the 8th Air Force and its Historical Society. This past October, he attended their 47th Annual Reunion in Savannah, GA. William was honored to accept an award on behalf of his fellow veterans when it was declared that Thursday, October 28, 2021 would be known as Eighth Air Force Historical Society Day in the County of Chatham, Georgia. His family sends thanks to all of his friends from the 303rd and everyone that attended the reunion.

After the war, William returned to New York City and began his lifelong career (of over 30 years) with the U.S. Postal Service retiring from Morgan Station; where he started as a clerk and rose to the level of supervisor. Shortly after his return from the war, he met the love of his life, Lydia, and they had three daughters. They enjoyed traveling through Europe, visiting family both on the East and West coast, and entertaining friends and family in their home. Many years later, with his wife, daughter, and granddaughter, William moved from Queens, NY to Tampa, FL to be closer to his sister and brother-in-law and to leave behind those cold, cruel New York City winters. Inspired by a particularly hard winter with three blizzards and lots of shoveling all around a corner house, he proclaimed “In Florida, as God as my witness, I’ll never have to shovel again!!”

William was a long-time parishioner at St. Paul Catholic Church in Carrollwood and a brother with the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed attending Sunday mass, reading the newspaper, taking vigorous walks around the neighborhood, and 2-for-1 margaritas at Vallarta’s, after Sunday mass. His favorite tunes were Frank Sinatra’s “My Way”, Barbara Streisand’s “The Way We Were,” and the mariachi classic, “Bésame Mucho.”

His family would like to acknowledge the care given by Jamie’s Adult Day Center, where they welcomed him with open arms, as well as Elmcroft of Carrollwood and the Carrollwood Care Center.

In lieu of flowers (“because you can’t eat flowers!” as William would say), please consider making a donation to the 8th Air Force Historical Society (https://www.8thafhs.org/), the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, where many years ago he rescued the family dog, Stella, (https://humanesocietytampa.org/), or any other cause that reminds you of William.

When asked what his secret was to living a long life, William proclaimed that “the doctor said to Keep Breathing!” …and a glass of red wine a day, doesn’t hurt either!

A visitation for William will be held Friday, December 10, 2021 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Gonzalez Funeral Home, 7209 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33614. A funeral mass will occur Saturday, December 11, 2021 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at St. Paul Catholic Church, 12708 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, FL 33618. A committal service will occur Saturday, December 11, 2021 from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Trinity Memorial Gardens, 12609 Memorial Dr., Trinity, FL 34655.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gonzalezfuneral.com for the Yepes family.