Centennial Hills-area son, friends salute father
My father is always there to hug me when I'm hurt.
My father is always there to help me up when I fall.
He is always there to protect out of harm's way.
My father is loving, caring and one of the most helpful guys I know!
I will always love my dad, forever.
- Jordin Ramirez,
son of William Ramirez
I have known Willie for 25-plus years and wanted to write a little something for him.
I am a stay-at-home mom and have been for 23 years. I have four children ranging from ages 14 to 22. My oldest is almost 23, and I have pretty much seen and done it all when it comes to raising kids.
William has grown closest to my 15-year-old daughter Stefani through his son Jordin, and from there, they have developed a special relationship - one, that she is comfortable enough with William to call, text or tweet him whenever she is in need of advice outside of her own two parents. Whether that advice is related to sports, friends, boyfriends or just a vent session on how she cant "deal" with me, her mom, ha ha. I can always count on William to talk to her and get through to her when Mom and Dad just can't. To give her good, solid advice and help her though.
In my years of parenting, I have never seen such an involved, caring dad as William - a dad who truly loves the title he carries. Will is not just a parent to Jordin, he is a parent, co-parent, mentor and friend to a lot of kids - always helping kids in any way he can. I say it takes a village to raise a child, and I am truly grateful that he is part of our village.
- Donna DiAntonio,
friend of William Ramirez
I'd like to start by saying Willy, aka "pops" as I call him, is a great father to Jordin and others. He is willing to help anyone who needs it. He helps motivate me and gives me advice and is willing to talk at anytime of the day. He has helped me with my own self-motivation and how I can continue to be successful as a football player and as a person. He is a warmhearted, loving guy and is one of my great friends but also a father to all who is in need.
- Mariano Del Real,
friend of William Ramirez
I met Willie Ramirez my senior year at work. He always brought his son Jordin in for practice, and the guy walked around the cages and was a social butterfly.
I had no idea who he was at the time, and all it took was a simple conversation for the spark to be lit. From that point on, I knew that this man was in my life to stay, and eventually became a "father figure" in my life.
I have gone through many hardships throughout my life, and Willie was without question always there. Whether it had to do with him editing a paper for my composition class or supporting me at my softball games, there was some sort of meaning behind it. Not to mention, if I was going in the wrong direction or doing the wrong thing, he had no problem stepping in and letting me know exactly what I needed to be told.
To say what he means to me is pretty tough because he has marked a permanent spot in my life as my second father, trainer and someone who I look up to daily. One of the many things he has taught me about is indomitable spirit. He taught me that indomitable spirit is established in one's inner self and is defined as having a "never-give-up attitude, under any circumstances." This is exactly what I needed to be taught, and it fit into my lifestyle perfectly.
Not only does he look after me as his "daughter I never had" but he looks after my twin sister, as well, as if we are his own. Being far away in Jacksonville, Fla., for school, wasn't as hard knowing how supportive he was from such a distance.
Willie is the kind of man to open his arms to anyone in need, and he will give and give to help someone else out, and it will make him feel better at the end of his day because that's just who he is.
There are many other kids out there who refer to him as "pops," and I am sure they feel the same way as I. He attends his son's wrestling matches and also attends soccer games and other activities to support kids who are not his own. He is far from selfish and would not only do anything for his son, he would do the same for me, and I would never have to question him being there.
I am truly blessed to have such an amazing man in my life as a blessing and could not be more thankful.
- Darcey Cochran,
friend of William Ramirez
