To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

December 11, 2007
William Jr.
December 11, 2007
Too all those who feel as I do. As the last tear begins to dry I reflect on the loss of my father. I realize that he is not gone but has given me and others a new begining in life as a whole. I and others have developed into stronger people who will carry on his traditions and legacy . I want to say thank you Dad for all you have given, your caring and loving prescience & spirit. May god bless you and bless all those who loved him and cared for him. The tears have dried for now I feel the winter sun on my back and I know you are next to me and that makes me feel good! One last thing as we all sit for the holiday dinner I ask that we all say a little something for dad and tip back a few cold ones in his honor. Love you Dad!
Gail Mateo
December 11, 2007
Merry Christmas Dad. We all miss you and love you very much. The holidays will not be the same, but we all know you are with us at each meal cracking a joke or two and enjoying some fine wine. I will leave an open chair for you dad at Christmas. Love your daughter Gail.
Tiffany Villeggiante
October 20, 2007
Aloha Uncle, I miss you & pray for you every nite, I cant beleive your gone in our life, you always brought a bright joy of life at our holiday parties, now it will never ever be the same again!My brother & parents always loved when your family would come to Christmas & Thankgiving because there are some people in life who just bring "glow" to the table, or even when they just walk in,"thats what I'll miss the most about YOU"!Your wise cracks always made me laugh & our sneaky walks with the young neices & newphews were fun, hee-hee (we'll keep that to ourselfs) Please give my grandma & grandpa & huge kiss from me, I miss them so much, behave in Heaven, & watch over all of us, I love you always, Your Neice Tiffany Villeggiante xoxo Until we met again, Aloha Uncle
Markus Machado
October 18, 2007
To William Roman Mateo Sr., Barb, children; William Jr., Gail, Robert and Tina, family and friends— All my love and condolences.
Mr. William Mateo, or as I knew him Bill, was, and in many ways, is still perhaps the most vigorous, energetic of men I have or ever will know. I first met Bill 3 years ago, I was dating and courting his lovely daughter Gail. I am still in that process— winning over a Mateo isn’t as easy as I thought— even with all my charm and wit. At that time all Bill knew of me was that I was some guy wanting to date his daughter. And Mr. Mateo, as I originally called him, was a family man, father of the woman I was dating, and a Marine. All but one of those things really scared me— and it wasn’t his being a family man.
In the years since, this man I scarcely knew, and who scarcely knew me came to welcome me into his home and his family— And he, not by words but in actions showed me what the true meaning of family and being a man was. And as I came to know more of him, I battled for a time with whether or not I loved him as much as I came to respect him. Soon the two became one, as it was it seems all whose lives he touched.
Bill Mateo was as much a man of his deeds as his word and one certainly
always meant the other— he proved that to me on more than one occasion.
I came to, in a round about way understand some of his philosophies on life— not through the course of meaningless words but by how he lived his life and treated the people around him; both family and friends were always welcomed and invited to his door to share in the life, laughter, good times and of course, food.
But Bill was more, much more than that to a family that encompassed many of the young men he trained, and even saved through his boxing training career. Bill was a valiant man whose life was not just about good times but also about standing tall for his family and friends, giving them an anchor that they may not drift too far from shore.
In this time of mourning and knowing what I do of Bill, I hope to console those who knew and loved him by reminding us that, his way was the celebration of life, love of family and good times. Not many men have a true legacy, but he has—As strong and powerful a man as he was, he lives on, reflected in each and everyone whose lives he ever touched. To me he remains, and always will be a beacon of hope and love.
To you Bill, I will remain true to my promise and love your daughter Gail, her children and protect them with my very life. You gave me and all of us a path to follow and for that there is no measure of thanks and gratitude to match. Every time I raise my glass or fire up the BBQ I will not only remember a great man and Marine, but my friend I will celebrate you, your family and life.
Manga Bill! We will eat and drink deeply of life for you, your memory and what you taught us about how to live our lives.
Love always, Markus Machado
Joleen Morrow
October 17, 2007
Barb,Tina and family,
I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Joleen
October 17, 2007
Barb,Tina and family,
I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Star Rowland
October 16, 2007
Tina,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. You always shared such wonderful stories about your Dad.
Matthew Svoboda
October 16, 2007
Bill,
It was an honor to have known you! May you be an inspiration to us all and blessed are the many lives you so deeply touched. God Bless.
Daniela Paz
October 16, 2007
I would like to remember my papa by all the laughs we shared. No matter what, he could always put a smile on my face! The important thing he taught me is to have fun, and not to be uptight and serious all the time. Im going to miss him dearly. Spending the night and staying up late, watching E.T or Rocky, and eating bon bons and tons of other junk food with him. I miss taking trips to Pismo beach and Disney Land, especially going on his business trips and speaking chinese to each other in front of his important clients just to see if we could pull it off and we did. Yes my grandpa lived a short, but great life, and he loved every bit of it. I take great pride of being his granddaughter and having these memories to cherish forever.
Judy Monfils
October 16, 2007
Barbara and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about Bill. I worked with him when he was at Hamilton. What a great man he was. Always having a kind word, making you feel comfortable, he was just a great man. I will truly miss him. I will continue to pray for you Barbara as well as your family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Raymond Cotter
October 15, 2007
Barbara, I will always treasure my trips to Northern California and working with Bill. Bill was such a great person to be around and he will surely be missed
Laura HIll
October 15, 2007
Bill,
I was thankful to have known you. I will never forget your sense of humor and your spark for life.You will be greatly missed.
Tina, Nick and family,
My thought and prayers are with you!
Joey Villeggiante
October 15, 2007
I'm gonna miss you uncle bill, we had some good times together and I'll always remember when you and i tore up sushi at mikuni, I love you uncle
Mimi Hocking
October 15, 2007
Tina and family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. May memories bring you comfort and time bring you peace. My sincerest condolences. Mimi
Dalynn Brickey
October 15, 2007
Dear Tina and Family,
My deepest sympathy to you all. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,
Joy Cabeal
October 15, 2007
Tina.......
Special prayers to you and your family.
Carol Ferrie
October 15, 2007
It is rare that you meet someone, spend less than a day with him, and feel like your life is richer from it. That was my experience with Bill. As Bob and I enjoyed laughs with Bill at the Tool Bar, I observed his incredible love and devotion to Barb, and saw his eyes light up as he proudly talked about his grandchildren. I’m thankful to have met a man so worthy of admiration. My heartfelt sympathy and prayers go to your family.
Angelena Paz
October 15, 2007
For my papa,i miss you with all my heart! Im going to miss all your hugs,kisses,and saying pull my finger.i had a lot fun sleeping over papa house and going in the hot tub with him.this is hard for all of us but we can tough it up.i love you papa.love Angelena
Brenda Medeiros
October 15, 2007
Tina and Family-
I am so deeply sorry to hear that you have lost someone you loved so very much. My thoughts and prayers are will you all. Take Care
Brenda Medeiros
Gail Mateo
October 15, 2007
To everyone who knew our dad. As you already know he is the best there can be! He was full of life and shared it to all. He always welcomed you in his home. We shared many meals and long talks. He had plenty of stories to tell, to make you think and laugh. His jokes always caught me off guard. Like when he would tell me that there's something on my shirt. I, like a dork would look down and he would take his finger and run it up to my nose and say "gotcha!!!" He always knew how to put a smile on my face. I will miss him so desperately, but I know its not the end, its only the beginning. For every sun set I see, I will always remember him and hold him tight. He told me so many times not to cry when he leaves, but to have a party and have a few beers for him. I will honor his wish and have those beers, but for crying I will be as strong as I can. I LOVE YOU DAD! Your legacy will carry on, in your children, and grandchildren. Love your daughter Gail
Tony Gold
October 15, 2007
thank you Bill for showing me how to be a great man, father, husband and friend i feel so blessed to have known you and your amazing family I promise to take care of Tina, Nick, and Barb i love you all,Tony
Maria Lombardi
October 15, 2007
Tina,Barb,Nick and family...
I am so sorry you are going through this very painful time. I know Bill will be looking down on all of you, always. Tina, just know that he will be the proudest grandpa in Heaven, especially when you have your baby boys. God bless you all, Our Love always,
Maria and Kaley xoxoxo
Lynne Hernandez
October 15, 2007
Dear Tina and Family:
I am very sorry to hear of your loss, and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Lynne Hernandez
William III and Tanner Mateo
October 15, 2007
We love you Grandpa,we will miss you very much love BJ and Tanner.
William Roman Mateo Jr
October 15, 2007
Pops I miss you! Your love will always be with me.
Robert Sloan
October 15, 2007
I miss my buddy more than words can say .Love Always and may he rest in peace .
Pineapple Bob
Cathy Reuter
October 15, 2007
To Barb, Tina, Nick and Family,
Letting you all know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
love you
catabonics
Bobby Mateo
October 14, 2007
I love you Dad.
Bobby
Michael Perry
October 14, 2007
Bill: You were our coach, our mentor, and our friend. You made a difference in our lives, and for that we are eternally grateful. Thank you for all the lessions and the memories. We will never forget you.
Always in our hearts: Michael Perry, the Ford brothers (Mike, Jimmy, John, and Will), Robert Bowmen, Paris & Shawn Gomez
Rodriguez Family
October 14, 2007
Bill we will miss you so much, especially my little baby boy Jacob who loved seeing you every afternoon and yelling "eehh" for you to notice him, which you always did and made him smile. You were a wonderful neighbor who always lent a helping hand when we needed something, Thank you. You will truly be missed by us.
patty villeggiante
October 14, 2007
Barbara and Family
I want to say I am Really sorry to hear about Bill, He will be missed and I won't forget his humor and his laugh, but he will never be far as he will be with all of your in spirit always.

We will miss you...
Selena Devine
October 14, 2007
Dear Uncle, We are all missing you so much. Thinking of you brings smiles through the tears, even while our hearts are heavy. I will remember the joy you brought to all of us at every occasion. I am sure that you have everyone cracking up in Heaven already! Love you and miss you terribly, Selena
Irene & Dave Green
October 14, 2007
We are sorry that Bill passed away so soon. We will remember his quick witt and humor for many years to come. He will always be in our hearts and we will do everything in our power to ensure that his legacy lives on with the next generation of Mateo's.
Tina Mateo
October 14, 2007
I miss you daddy.
Showing 1 - 35 of 35 results

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more