William Robert Silvestri

William R Silvestri, born in Culbertson, MT 10/13/1926 a WWII Veteran and Purple Heart Recipient, loving husband, loving and proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather, loving brother began his journey to Glory on March 27, 2015 following a long struggle due to complications from emphysema COPD. He leaves behind his wife, Bonnie Silvestri; a son, Gary Silvestri (and wife, Gloria) of South Gate, CA, two daughters Patty Conner (and husband, Don) and Cheryl Clayton (and husband, Kevin) both of Simi Valley, CA; six grandchildren – Bryan Conner(and wife, Sascha) of Simi Valley, CA, Melissa Costa (and husband, Lynn) of Simi Valley, CA, Jeff Silvestri (and wife, Candi) of New Orleans, LA, Amy Lonberger (and husband, Andrew) of South Gate, CA, Wesley Clayton (and wife, Chelsea) of Oak Park, CA, Lindsay Faria (and husband, Weston) of Simi Valley, CA, and Nichole Conner of Palmdale; and ten great-grandchildren – Kelsey Conner, Skyler Costa, Payton Costa, Alyssa Lonberger, Gisele Silvestri, Will Lonberger, Kobe Silvestri, Abigail Lonberger, Timothy Conner and Dutch Faria; two brothers, Lawrence Silvestri of Yakima, WA and John Silvestri of Vancouver, WA, and two sisters, Dolores Gallegos of Pomona, CA and RoseMarie Gillette of Yakima, WA.

Mr. Silvestri loyally served 22 years in the U.S. Navy beginning as a baker’s assistant, advancing to cook and retiring as a chef with the rank of Chief Petty Officer. During WWII the ship on which he was serving was torpedoed twice with most aboard being killed; although severely injured, he was one of few that survived earning him the Purple Heart. Upon his retirement in 1964, he continued his service for his country by working in Civil Service in military surplus. In later years, he formed his own two businesses; one being a surplus store and the other a successful landscaping business.

One of his favorite pass-times was watching sports, especially baseball of which in his youth in Yakima, WA he was known to be a great pitcher. Another of Mr. Silvestri’s passions after retiring from the Navy was his continuance in cooking – he loved cooking large family meals, in addition to many sizable festive dinners for the church. Included in the things he loved was time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, making great memories for the future. He loved children; and they loved him. He was a highly respected man, making friends easily and being generous to the point he could say ‘no’ to no one. He will be greatly missed by family and friends alike.

A full military honor burial is scheduled for Thursday, April 9th at 12:15 p.m.