William “Bill” de la Cerda

Born on April 16, 1931, to Casimiro and Luz Garza de la Cerda, Bill grew up first in Eagle Pass, Texas and later, in Del Rio, Texas where he graduated from San Felipe High School in 1950. There he was valedictorian of his class, editor of the school yearbook, and was chosen as the “most likely to succeed” senior.

After graduation, Bill moved to Peoria, Illinois, where he attended Bradley University during the day and worked at the Caterpillar Plant at night to finance his education.

Bill was drafted into the Army during the Korean conflict years and served in Germany as a member of the 868th. Field Artillery Battalion, Battery B. He returned to Bradley two years later and graduated with a B.A. in Accounting and a B.A in International Economics. Then, Bill began his career in International Business that spanned 40 years. Most notably being part of the team that started the Cummins Engine Co. Plant in Jamestown in 1974. Finally, he purchased the Marsh Valve Plant in Dunkirk but closed it down due to a downturn in business.

Several years later he married Marcia Lawson who encouraged him to attend graduate school at Fredonia. While working towards his master’s degree in education, he taught Spanish at Persell Middle School. After obtaining his degree he taught at Randolph Central School for five years. He finished his teaching career as a Spanish Teacher at Holy Family Catholic School.

Bill was a devout Catholic who attended daily Mass, served as a lector and Eucharistic minister and taught religious education classes for both young people and adults at St. Peter & Paul Church.

Bill was an avid tennis player and downhill skier in his younger years. Later in life he loved trips to Barcelona Harbor to watch the rare birds and occasional trips to Texas and Bar Harbor, Maine.

Besides his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his first wife, Marianne O’Donnell de la Cerda, his teenage daughter, Jeanne, two infant sons, Gregory and John, and two sisters, Margie de la Cerda Pena, and Angelina de la Cerda Russell.

He is survived by Marcia Lawson de la Cerda (2nd wife), and his children, Leah de la Cerda (Neal) Gustafson, Denise de la Cerda and William “Memo” (Kimberly) de la Cerda. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Erik (Ariel) Gustafson, Chad Gustafson, Tyler (Susan) Gustafson, Reid Gustafson, and Anastasia and Gabriela de la Cerda, along with three great grandchildren: Neva Gustafson and Ezra and Avery Gustafson. He is also survived by his youngest sister, Eva de la Cerda Bernard.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00am Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. The Rev. Paul Cygan will be celebrant. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends will be received from 3-6pm Friday, January 3, 2024, in the Lind Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a pro-life group that Bill helped to start many years ago: Options Care Center, 560 W. Third Street, Jamestown, NY 14701; Tunnels to Towers, PO Box 70719, Philadelphia, PA 19176 or The Lakewood Volunteer Fire Department who many times provided care and transport to UPMC Chautauqua.

To leave a condolence, please visit lindfuneral home.com.