Honor Willie's Memory: Help His Loved Ones

As many of you have now heard, my sister Jennifer and her family suffered a terrible loss on Monday night, December 23rd. Husband, father, uncle, brother, friend, and veteran Willie Marteniez was tragically killed in a hit-and-run car accident a short distance from home. A few facts about Willie... he was a 10-year Navy veteran, he took advantage of the GI Bill and received his college degree in Automotive Technology, he was my sister's high school sweetheart, he was father to four (two still at home), he was brother to a large family, and a friend to so many.

Things you may not know: he may have been one of the funniest people I knew. Please share his Willie Vision posts! They are priceless. He was kind and considerate with a sweet, gentle soul.

Losing Willie is not only heartbreaking for his immediate family, but financially devastating. Willie started his dream job earlier this month with Waste Management, keeping all those green trucks we love running! As a new employee, there is no expectation that his family will qualify for any benefits.

If you are able to give financially, that is wonderful, but more than anything, please keep this family in your thoughts, and more importantly, please don't forget Willie. Don't forget his smile and his laugh and his Willie Vision! We were all blessed to know him.

Services will be announced shortly. Thanks everyone.