Bill "Willie" Colombini

PRUNEDALE

Bill "Willie" Colombini, 85, of Prunedale, passed away Monday, July 19, 2010, at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital.
He was born Aug. 27, 1924, in San Francisco to Nella Panelli Colombini and Allesandro Colombini. Willie moved to Castroville when he was a baby, and attended schools there, as well as Monterey and Salinas High Schools.
He enlisted in the Navy during WW II and was a sailor on the USS Hornet seeing action in the battle of Midway in the Coral Sea. His rank was CPO. He was very proud of his service to his country and was a member of the American Legion Post No. 31 in Salinas.
Willie was an avid baseball fan, in his younger days he played ball for the St. Louis Cardinals minor league in Fresno, The Don Castro's of Castroville, Pat Carrols Flowers and the Watsonville Pippens.
He worked for Pringle Tractor Co and then became a bartender for many years working at Maida's Bamboo Village, Italian Villa, Tee N Turf, The Pub, Mikes Place in Castroville and the Palace in Gonzales. After that he was employed as a custodian
at Gambetta and Castroville Elementary Schools where he retired at 62 years of age.
Survivors: He is survived by his wife, Alta Mae of the family home in Prunedale; his loving sister, Bruna (Louis) Del Chiaro of Sacramento; daughter, Kim (Tom) Pinkston of Prunedale , granddaughter, Stacey Smith (Nathan) Odell of Merced; grandson, TJ Smith of Prunedale; great-grandson, Ryder Smith of Prunedale; nephews and nieces, Richard (Cathy) Del Chiaro, Marc Del Chairo of Carmichael, Alexis Del Chiaro of Phoenix, Angus (Chris) McArthur of Yuma, Ariz. and Lavonne McArthur of Palm Springs. He also leaves a little girl who dearly loved her "Papa Bill" and he loved her, Ashlee Toledo of Prunedale.
The family would also like to give a very special thank you to his caregiver, Stephanie Barnes, for being there for him showing her care and love for him. Also to Dr. Ravin Sharma who has been his rock for many years and whom he dearly loved, also to Dr. Neil Rudo for keeping him walking all through this difficult time and to Heartland Hospice for the special treatment and support for all of the family.
Visitation: From 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, July 23, at the Struve and Laporte Chapel, 41 W. San Luis St., Salinas.
Funeral service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 24, at Struve & Laporte Chapel.
Full Military Honors and Burial: To follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery, 850 Abbott St., Salinas.
Celebration of Life: Will be held after the burial services at The American Legion Post 31, 14 W. Laurel Dr., Salinas.
Memorials: Donations may be made to Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, 450 Romie Lane, Salinas, Calif. 93901 or to the donor's favorite charity.
Arrangements: Struve and Laporte Chapel.
Online condolences: www.struveandlaporte.com