Willie Casiano, age 89, of San Antonio, Texas passed away on March 2, 2019. Mr. Casiano was born September 25, 1929 to Felix and Leonarda Casiano. As a young man, Mr. Casiano served honorably in the United States Army. He proudly served during the Korean War. He joined the 82nd Airborne Division and attended "Jump School" in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He loved being a paratrooper, and he became the squad leader of his troop.

Upon his return home from the Army in December 1951, he worked as a truck driver hauling military equipment for the United States Air Force. When he wasn't driving more than a thousand miles from Texas to California for work, Mr. Casiano enjoyed sports. He had a passion for baseball and played for the Spanish American League as a pitcher where he earned the nickname, "Willie Cass."

On September 28, 1952, Willie married his childhood friend, Lupe Gutierrez, and began a 57-year journey of true love and devotion that never wavered. In 1955, Mr. Casiano began a career at Kelly Air Force Base working in the shipping and receiving department. After 32 years of dedicated civil service, he retired from Kelly Air Force Base as a Transportation Specialist.

Willie Casiano is survived by his son Gabriel and his wife Linda, daughter Cindy Casiano-Rodriguez and husband Thomas, daughter Genevieve Rodriguez and husband Freddy, son Rene Casiano and his wife Leticia, and daughter-in-law Sylvia Casiano. He is also survived by his sisters, Socorro Renteria and Mary Hernandez, sister-in-law Stella Jimenez (Raymond) and brother-in-law Sylvester Gutierrez Jr. (Lupe). In addition, Mr. Casiano is survived by 12 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents along with his beloved wife Lupe Casiano, his son William Casiano Jr., his granddaughter Nathalia Casiano, his brother Felix Casiano Jr., and his sister Rosie Esquivel.

Mr. Casiano will always be remembered as a devoted husband,

great provider to his children,

and a soldier who served his country proudly.

He will be dearly missed and always loved.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Visitation will begin Monday, March 11 ^th at 5:00 P.M. in

The Angelus Chapel with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 P.M.

Funeral Mass will be offered Tuesday, March 12 ^th

at 9:00 A.M. at St. Henry's Catholic Church

Interment will follow at

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with military honors