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William "Willie" Ramirez
William "Willie" Ramirez passed away on December 11, 2013 at his home surrounded by his family in Santa Maria. William entered this world on December 2, 1950. As a youth in the early '50s and '60s he played minor little league baseball, as a pitcher, once recording 15 strikeouts. In later years he played Minor Little League Baseball for the Oddfellows, who won a city championship under Carl Barbettini and Al Silva. Upon entering high school, he tried cross country and track, two sports he really enjoyed. In his senior year he even ran a marathon in 3:51 (hours/min) on his 17th birthday. Out of 42 starters he finished 7th and even lost 8 pounds while running. Two of his best-friends at this time were Tim Sanford and Paul Cummings, who achieved fame at Righetti and Brigham Young, and who later years ran under 4:00 minutes in the mile.
William ran at Allan Hancock College for 1 year, and his teams won championships in that year. He had a great coach in Ray Kring, who took over for Jack Cook. He had great teammates such as, Greg Tibbetts, Wally McConnell, Greg Straolzini, Gary Silva, Denny Bunch, and Jerry Gruber. William also was a sports editor while at Hancock, and even won an on-the-spot writing contest in 1968 at Cal Poly .He even went to Cal Poly in the '70s, as he was encouraged by the legendary Ed Zuchellio while at Poly, he wrote feature stories about Jessie Owens the U.S. track star, and Chris Baker, (brother of former Dodger Dusty Baker) who also played baseball. William even had Dusty autograph the article at Dodger Stadium, and talked to him before the game. William loved the Dodgers, Lakers, and Raiders. He even interviewed the former Raider coach John Madden, when Madden was visiting his friend Joe White at Allan Hancock College.
After college, William was a truck driver for 18 years at Santa Maria Berry Farms working for the Sheehy's: Bob and Terry. In 1973 he met and married his wife Ida Luna. Later in life they had a son Jason Ramirez who starred at Santa Maria High School while playing football, wrestling, and baseball. In his junior year, he placed 5th at C.I.F. Wrestling Finals, the first heavy weight to do so at Santa Maria High School. Jason was also a pitcher, and beat his dads strikeout record by recording 17 strikeouts against Orcutt National in the Little League 12 year old All Star district championship.
One of William's favorite past-times was playing Slo-Pitch softball for 18 years in the City League, winning two league championships as a pitcher. He also won two other league championships while playing in the Berry League Softball league. He really enjoyed the many players he met during those 18 years, making hundreds of friends throughout that time span. His team was the Aztecs.
William also had a huge collection of 60's comic books which allowed him to sell many of his Marvel Comic's #1's in the 1980's at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and at the Nipomo Swap-Meet, where he and his wife Ida were regulars for 12 years. He also sold football, baseball and basketball cards while Ida made flower arrangements at their business Ramirez's Comics and gifts.
William is survived by his wife Ida of 40 years, his son Jason, daughter-in-law Clara, his mother Mary, and his grandchildren: Hunter, Dasia, Sarae, and Manny. Sisters: Patsy, Teresa, Nena, and Cindy. Brothers: Eddie, Michael, Tony, David, Abel, Richard, and Alex.
He was preceded in death by his father William "Memo" Ramirez, Grandfather Belen Sr., Grandmother Gregoria Maruffo, and Brother Neil Buelna, Aunt Pauline, Uncle Louie Maruffo, Uncle Belen Jr., and Uncle Damacio.
Memorial services will be held as follows: A viewing will be held on Wednesday from 5:30pm-6:30pm followed by a rosary at Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary. A mass will be held at St.Mary's Catholic Church on Thursday at 9:30am and a burial service will follow immediately after at the Santa Maria Cemetery. A potluck reception will follow at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge from 12pm-4pm.
Arrangements are under the direction of Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory and Memory Gardens.
Dudley-Hoffman
Mortuary & Crematory
(805) 922-8463
www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com
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Phil Christensen
Willie was the one person who encouraged me to try out for cross-country and track. I remember those try outs and even though I didn't make it I still remember his words of encouragement "Come on Phil you can do it." I know its been over a year since his passing but Willie thank you for your help.