Willehado N. Torres

Willehado (Bill) N. Torres Bill Torres, as he was known by his friends, was born Willehado Norman Torres on June 20, 1935 in San Luis Potosi Mexico to Dr. Willehado and Guadalupe Torres. He was the second child after his older sister Luz Marie (Lucy). Bill was described as a good looking creative, inquisitive, and mischievous child. He was a bit of a rebel and a prankster and often got in trouble for his antics. Fortunately, his energies were redirected when his parents contracted private piano lessons for him and his sister. He was a natural, and his love and talent for music would serve him well. Bored with the classical arrangements he had to learn for his piano lessons, Bill began learning pop music he heard off the radio simply by ear. He was able to perform the tunes note for note. Hardly a teenager, girls would stand outside Bills window just to hear him play the piano. Dr. Torres moved the family to San Antonio Texas in the 1950s where he continued his medical practice and registered Bill and his sister Lucy into the American school system at Thomas Jefferson High School. It was distressing for the siblings who had to be uprooted from the only home they ever knew, leave all their friends and relatives, and begin at a new school in the middle of the semester in a foreign country where they did not even know the language. Bill was a sophomore and Lucy was a senior. They joined the Spanish club right away and began making friends and learning English. In spite of their disadvantages, they both made good grades. When a school assembly was on the schedule, Bill volunteered to play the piano for the event. Dressed in a suit and tie and looking sharp, young Bill performed the Bumble Bee Boogie for the school. The students erupted with cheers and clapping. Suddenly, everybody knew who Bill Torres was, especially the girls. But Bill was more interested in his music as he and his sister formed groups that performed for various events including television and a weekly Sunday radio show. During this time, Bill also learned to play the upright bass. After graduation, Bill went on to San Antonio College (SAC) to study premed to follow his fathers footsteps while continuing his music on the side. In 1955, the rebel in Bill was exhibited when after completing two years at SAC, Bill suddenly announced to his parents he had enlisted in the army and was leaving the next day. The family was shocked, angry, and heartbroken. Bill, was later stationed in Yokohama Japan a year later as a Sp3 in medical equipment repair where he met his future wife and love of his life, Pat Snelling. They were married in Japan and conceived their first child. They returned to San Antonio Texas where their first daughter Patsy was born. During this time, Bill completed his term of service with the army and received his honorable discharge as did Pat. A year later their second daughter Cindy was born. Soon after, their only son Willehado Victor (Kip) was born. Bill got back into his music playing professional upright bass with jazz groups in the 1960s. Bill loved the freedom that jazz allowed for performing tunes. He performed at all the finest country clubs in San Antonio and abroad. Meanwhile, his fourth daughter Laurie was born and quickly followed by the fifth daughter, Linda. Bill worked a variety of side jobs in the 70s while performing his night performances including sales, electronics repair, and real estate. He was also an honored member of the Toastmasters organization which involved public speaking and leadership skills. He prided himself in his mastery of the English language and was quick to correct anyone with bad grammar. He became a successful real estate agent, but his talent for repairing led him to start his own business, San Antonio Repair. Bill acquired a large and loyal clientele and eventually gave up his music career and concentrated on his business. By the 80s Bill and the whole family were helping care for his ailing mother Guadalupe until she passed away in her home. But life continued with new son-in-laws and the birth of Cindys two daughters Little Cindy and Little Patsy to fill the void. And in 1990, Lauries only child Amber was born. Laurie and her daughter Amber moved in with her grandfather Dr. Torres until his passing at home in 1995. Bill grieved his passing for years. The 2000s found Bill working more than ever with his business and being a grandfather/father to his grandchildren and a friend and mentor to his son-in-laws David Lucero, Rick Reyna, Ralph Villarreal, and Rick Zamora. The son-in-laws affectionately referred to Bill as Pa while Bills children called him daddy, the grandchildren called him mentor, and the youngest grandchild called him Dada. But illness, tragedy, life, and death defined the decade. In 2003, his daughter Laurie was diagnosed with cancer. By 2005, she had passed. The family was devastated. Then an influx of new family members joined with grand son-in-laws Michael Anzaldua and Nathan Bergh. In 2008, a new generation began as the first great grandchild was born to Little Patsy, her daughter Alle. But that same year, his beloved wife Pat was diagnosed with cancer and was gone in 6 excruciating months. Bill was heartbroken and went into a deep depression. There was a ray of light with the birth of the second great grandchild to Little Cindy, son Ethan. Then, in March 2010, daughter Cindy was killed in a car accident. This last tragedy was too much for Bill and resulted in him having a stroke. He retired from his business and began to slowly deteriorate. His family rallied around him as three more great grandchildren were added to the brood. Evan, born to Little Cindy; Giana, born to Little Patsy; and Baby Laurie, born to Amber and new grand son-in-law Jorge Cortez. Bill had the blessing of meeting and holding all 5 of his great grandchildren. Through numerous strokes and medical emergencies, Bill continued to fight for life for the next seven years with the love and support of his children. On March 30, 2017, Bill, Willehado N. Torres, the great grandfather, grandfather, father, husband, son, friend, jazz musician, business owner, and mentor, passed away quietly in his sleep at home surrounded by his family who dearly loved him and will miss him, but will never forget him. He is survived by his sister Lucy Corkery. We miss you and love you daddy, Pa, Mentor, Dada, papasito, Patsy and David Lucero - Daughter and son-in-law Cindy Skye - Daughter (in heaven) Little Cindy and Nathan Bergh - Granddaughter and grand son-in-law Ethan & Evan Bergh - Great grandsons Little Patsy and Michael Anzaldua - Granddaughter and grand son-in-law Alle & Giana Anzaldua - Great granddaughters Kip Torres - Son Laurie and Ralph Villarreal - Daughter (in heaven) and son-in-law Amber and Jorge Cortez - Granddaughter and grand son-in-law Baby Laurie Cortez - Great granddaughter Linda and Rick Reyna - Daughter and son-in-law