William B. Vindiola

William B. Vindiola, 70, passed away on January 17, 2019. Born in Tucson, AZ on March 31, 1948, the eldest boy of six children. He is preceded in death by parents, Angel and Anita Vindiola. Survived by his wife, Mary Helen Vindiola, sons; Jacob (Erica) and Guillermo (Patricia) Vindiola, daughters; Veronica Murillo (Jorge), Rebekah Zuniga (Isaac), Anna Vindiola (Temo) and Maricela Vindiola, brothers; Jesus (Maria), Manuel (Becky) Vindiola, sisters; Cecilia Vindiola, Carmen Orozco (Jesse) and Lucia Vindiola.

William was a proud graduate of Pueblo High School, where he excelled in wrestling and was a renowned regional wrestling champion. After high school, William studied Exercise Science at the University of Arizona with the intent of becoming a coach one day. William’s studies were halted as he enlisted in the Army Active Service during the Vietnam era in 1970. William trained as a medical corpsman before being deployed to Korea in the DMZ. William returned to Tucson on November 15, 1971 and began his career working for Veteran’s Administration Medical Center (VA). He met the love of his life in July of 1972 at a mutual friend’s wedding at the Casino Ballroom. William married his soulmate Mary on December 5, 1975. Shortly after, William transferred to Tuscaloosa, Alabama as Assistant Director of Voluntary Services for the VA. William worked closely with the Veteran’s American Legion and Disabled American Veterans where his heart’s work was to serve those who had also served our nation. While in Tuscaloosa, William played on the VA softball team, and was responsible for integrating the first black and white softball team in Alabama. It was here in Tuscaloosa where William and Mary celebrated their first wedding anniversary over a cardboard moving box. During this time, William also attended the University of Alabama Tuscaloosa and became a fan of the Crimson Tide. In 1978, William transferred to Sheridan Wyoming and became Director of Voluntary Services for the VA. William loved his country, and it showed through his dedication to veterans. William always had a desire to reach out to all members of each community, and befriended members of the Crow Agency, Cheyenne Tribe and Arapaho Tribe. Unsurprisingly, William was the president of the Miss Indian USA Pageant. While in Sheridan, William and Mary had their first two children together, three children total for William. William loved his traveling experiences, but it was even more important to him that his children knew their roots. William’s Tucson sunsets called him back home in the spring of 1980 with his loving wife and children. William resided in his hometown of Tucson, Arizona for the remainder of his life and had three more children with his wife, Mary. When he returned to Tucson, William worked for the Southern AZ Mental Health Center, Para-Transit and finished off his career at East Side Transportation Dept. of Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) where he retired after 17 years. 

In 1984, William encouraged his wife to complete her nursing education, as it was important to William that Mary not only seek out her dreams, but that she be able to support herself and the children should anything happen to him. It was because of his love and support that Mary chose William to pin her during the nursing pinning ceremony. William instilled many great traits in his children, but most important was that of great work ethic. William was proud of being a provider for his family. He also instilled an appreciation of the outdoors within his children as they spent many family vacations camping at Rosmontes, a place his mother grew up, and at other various campsites throughout Arizona. It was important to William that his grandchildren were equipped with the basic survival skill of starting fires. William was a pillar of strength for all, and provided a sense of security to his loved ones. He was a father figure to many people. Nothing brought him greater joy than to see generations of children run through the hallways of his home, including the Morales’ and Murillos. William shared many laughs and meals with his family, loving dances with his wife and cold beers with friends. 

William spent the last years of retirement with his loving wife of 43 years, where they enjoyed the presence of their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Time was enjoyed watching westerns, UofA games and eating plenty of tamales. William prayed over every meal shared with his family, and made sure to remind his wife daily of how blessed they truly were. From the William B. Vindiola family to Compa Chuma (our Tio Jesse) we are eternally grateful for his friendship and support. Compa Chuma never let a day go without checking on William, offering help around the house, or just to talk over a cold beer. Due to William’s deep faith in God, his family finds comfort in knowing he has truly gone home to heaven. Big Will lived big, and loved big, and we know he’s saving a dance for his wife in Heaven.