William Wise Jr.

WILLIAM WEATHERFORD WISE, JR.

February 23, 1947 - January 24, 2016

William Weatherford Wise, 68, died January 24, 2016.

He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Leyendecker Wise and son Jordan Dacamara Wise; mother Lorraine Dacamara; sister Deanie Wise; brother and sisters, Guillermo Wise, Sehoy Wise and Rita Wise; mother-in-law Lucia Leyendecker; sister-in-law Elizabeth Leyendecker; brother-in-law Frank X. Leyendecker Jr.,numerous nieces and nephews; and many close friends.

He was preceded in death by his father William W. Wise Sr., paternal grandparents J. T. Wise and Rita Tarvin Wise; maternal grandparents J. B. Dacamara and Ofelia Garca Dacamara; and father-in-law Frank X. Leyendecker.

He was born in Laredo on February 23, 1947. A Vietnam era veteran, Wise served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Clarke County, which transported Marines, tanks, oil and aviation fuel to Saigon, Chu Lai Combat Base and to Danang, Guam, and Vung Tau. He was inducted into service on March 5, 1964 and trained as a radar operator in Norfolk, Virginia. He was honorably discharged in October 1967, commended with the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. He continued as a reservist until 1970.

Bill and Rebecca were married on February 3, 1984. He worked in real estate prior to becoming the operations and real estate manager for Leyendecker Oil, Inc. from 1984 to the present.

As an owner of Rancho Los Ojuelos near Mirando City, he undertook the restoration and preservation of the settlement homes of the historic ranch in the early 1980s. Once a breeder of registered Longhorn cattle, Wise currently managed a breeding herd of Watusi cattle with his son Jordan and nephew Jay Leyendecker.

He was a devoted son, grandson, husband, father, and brother. Family and friends recall the impact of Jordan's birth on Bill's life, as his focus turned to establishing a nurturing lifelong relationship with his son, who was born July 11, 1989.

Bill is remembered for his generosity of spirit and for being a patriotic, kind, decorous, respectful, and principled individual who cared deeply for his family, friends, and country. He had a unique bond with his mother Lorraine and grandmother Ofelia "Nane" Dacamara. He spoke fondly of the summers spent with his great-grandmother Emma "Muddie" Dacamara at the Dacamara family ranch.

Close friends recall Bill's reliability for good counsel.

He was a man's man who cherished his time on the ranchlands with family and good friends. Bill was proud of his Native American Creek heritage. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and sport shooting. He is remembered as a supporter of United Day School where he volunteered as basketball coach and for nine years staffed the school's fajita booth at the Fall Carnival.

Bill Wise, known from his youth as "Pingo," was a gifted storyteller who could hold his friends rapt with delight and suspense. His contagious laugh and his sharp sense of humor resonate with all who loved him.

Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2011, Bill never lost his sense of humor and never gave up. He would say, "I have Parkinson's, Parkinson's does not have me".

And always by his side was his pug, Opie.

Pallbearers are: Alfonso Varela, Guillermo Wise, Jay Leyendecker, John Dromgoole, Oscar Dodier, and Patrick Farrell.

Honorary pallbearers are: Adolph Puig Jr., Billy Martin, Cesar Garca, Chad Shroyer, DD Dodier, Douglas Macdonald, George Kazen, Fernando Laurel, Francisco Salido Sr., Jerome Jordan, Joe Martin III, Johnny Shroyer, Jonathan Leyendecker, Juan Homero Sanchez, Kirk Carr, Larry Biddle, Leo Unzeitig, Mauricio Cantu, Mike Canno, Peter Greenblum, Richard Geissler, Rogelio Martinez, Ricky Garcia, Taylor Farrell, and William Carr.

The Wise family extends heartfelt gratitude to those who cared for Bill, including Dr. Dennis Cantu, Dr. Eric Pappert, Dr. Moises Bucay, Dr. Ricardo Cigarroa, Celia Solis, Dusty Carr, Gloria Canseco, José Luis Aguilar, Marty Cigarroa de Llano, Melle Farrell, Molly Alegria, Rey Tovar, and Teresa Hernandez.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 27 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels at 1410 Jacaman Rd. Vigil and Rosary are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

A Mass celebrating the life of Bill Wise will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church on Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. officiated by Monsignor James Harris.

He will be buried with full military honors in the Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to American Legion Post 59 Restoration Project, P.O. Box 1534, Laredo, TX 78042; (956)717-8769.

You may express your condolences and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com

Arrangements are under the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041; (956)722-8850.