Jose Cerpiano Rodriguez

Willie J. Rodriguez, born in Velarde, NM on Monday, July 21, 1930 to Efren and Teresa Rodriguez. He passed away on Saturday, March 9, 2019. He graduated from the Santa Fe School for the Deaf and Blind where he excelled in boxing and basketball. It was there he fell in love with grounds-keeping. He had a crew of his own by the time he was 10. Willie moved to California for a short time but quickly moved back to his beautiful New Mexico. Soon after his return he met the love of his life, Bessie. They married on July 3, 1954. They became proud parents of Anna, Sarah and William. They also became proud grandparents of Julie Maldonado. Willie worked for Rainbow Bakery while building his family’s first home in the North Valley. He retired from UNM and built his wife a beautiful home where they began enjoying their retirement. They loved being with friends at the senior center and McDonalds. Willie was preceded in death by his grandson, Andrew; his granddaughter, Rebecca; his brothers, Efren and Charlie and his sister, Mary. He is survived by his wife, Bessie; his daughters, Anna and Sarah; grandchildren, Adam, Adrian, Alex, Anthony, Christina and Ray; his brother, Orlando and his sister, Esther. A special thank you to his grandsons, Alex and Ray; granddaughters, Christina and Amanda; sister-in-law, Helen and husband Joe; goddaughter, Julie and daughters, Anna and Sarah who all cared for and loved Willie and Bessie through this difficult time. Pallbearers will be Adam, Adrian, Alex, Ray, Bubba and Kaleb. Honorary Pallbearers will be son-in-law, Ross Anaya and godson, Rick Maldonado. A special thanks to the staff at Rust Medical Center for taking care of this wonderful man. A Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. at FRENCH-Westside. A Mass will be held on Friday, March 15, 2019, 9:00 a.m. at St. Therese of the Infant Jesus Catholic Church at 300 Mildred Ave. NW.