William L. “Willi” Garces, 92, of Herculaneum, formerly of Palo Alto, Calif., died Nov. 13, 2017, at the VA Medical Center in south St. Louis County. Mr. Garces was born Aug. 18, 1925, in Arequipa, Peru, the son of the late Evangelina Rendon and Santiago Garces.
Mr. Garces was in his third year of medical school when he came to the United States. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, trained as a pilot and flew medics to the front lines in the Korean War for two years. After leaving the military, he earned a marketing degree from Ohio State University and went to work as a pharmaceutical salesman. He received his U.S. citizenship in 1952. In 1964 he moved to California, where he became an electrician and ran his own business until he retired. An enthusiastic and energetic person, he enjoyed making and flying kites, nature, watching and listening to birds, and all types of music, particularly classical and flamenco guitar. He enjoyed hosting and attending parties so much he bought his own tuxedo so he’d be ready to go. A member of the Catholic faith, he had a good sense of humor, a positive outlook and greeted everyone with a smile.
He is survived by his former wife of 30 years: Ann Adams Garces of Colorado Springs, Colo.; four children: Anita Pierson of Imperial, Patricia Combs of Santa Cruz, Calif., Rebecca MacCommons of Colorado Springs and Will L. Garces of Colorado Springs; eight grandchildren; Joseph Combs of Santa Cruz, Bonnie Combs of San Jose, Calif., Terra MacCommons of Los Angeles, Laura Smith of Burien, Wash.; Rachel Grose and Keagan MacCommons, both of Memphis, Tenn., and Morgan and Cameron MacCommons, both of Colorado Springs; and five great-grandchildren: Trinity Rose Combs of Santa Cruz and Jameson, Hudson and August Grose and Silas MacCommons, all of Memphis.
He was preceded in death by two brothers: Alfredo Garces and Agustus Garces; and a sister: Olga Garces.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 24, at Freedom Church, 80 Meramec Valley Plaza, in Valley Park, officiated by Kris and Sonya Taylor. Burial is in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks.