William Valdez

I met Bill 25 years ago when I joined the Sleepers softball team. We became friends, and over the next 15, grew closer till we were best friends. I love Bill. Still do. He loved me. We were inseparable. When he started his slow decline, I decided to make his life as good as I could. We went to Dodger games, plays, comedy shows, car shows, movies, lunch, anything that struck our fancy. Mostly, Bill wanted to laugh. He did not want to die. He wanted to get healthy and be there for his family, to whom he was devoted. I learned humility when he stomped me at dominoes for a long time. I learned about the horrors of Vietnam when he finally opened up. Bill was kind. He was thoughtful, generous, smart, funny, and not above ribald jokes. I miss him terribly. I always will. Rest up, pal. I'll be seeing you.

I first met Bill well over 20 years ago at the CHE softball field when he and my husband Dan played on the Sleepers. Gradually over the years Dan & Bill became the best of friends. I came to love him too. He was kind, thoughtful, loving & generous. And he had the greatest laugh! He was an important part of our lives and he will be so missed. I am glad that his troubles are behind him and he is on to his next big adventure.