William Paul Gomes Obituary

William Paul Gomes attended Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove, CA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about William Paul Gomes.

Graduation Year	Class of 1959
Date of Passing	Mar 29, 2021
About	William Paul Gomes October 13, 1940-March 29, 2021 Having battled back from numerous health crises throughout the last decade of his life, a sudden decline ushered William “Bill” Paul Gomes into the arms of his Heavenly Father on March 29, 2021, at the age of 80, with his daughter, Debi, by his side. Bill was born in Brooklyn, New York, on October 13, 1940, the third of four children born to immigrant parents Alvaro & Philomena “Phyllis” (née Patella) Gomes, from Portugal’s Madeira Islands and Calabria, Italy, respectively. The family moved west to California when he was a young lad and they settled in the rural community of Elk Grove. It was there that his Italian grandfather taught him how to suck eggs and make homemade wine, much to his mother’s chagrin. Bill was active in scholastic sports, participating in wrestling and football in high school at Christian Brothers and Elk Grove, where he graduated in 1959. After high school Bill enlisted in the Coast Guard where he served throughout the Pacific, being stationed in Japan, Hawaii and Oregon, until he was honorably discharged. Bill’s first marriage brought forth the birth of his two daughters, Deborah and Susan, whom he loved and adored. To become a better provider for his family, he enrolled at Sacramento City College where he studied printing, and it was also where he returned to the gridiron, going with the team to the junior college championship National Orange Show Bowl game. After college, Bill paired his education with his ability to sell ice to an Eskimo, and became a top salesman with Fruitridge Printing. Gifted with an entrepreneurial spirit and the desire to better serve his clients, Bill branched out on his own and formed Graphics Diversified in Sacramento in 1983, first as a print broker and, later, a full-fledged commercial printing company, which he ran successfully for many years. As an independent businessman, Bill became very passionate about politics and the direction in which our nation was heading and, in an effort to make a difference, became very involved in the Ross Perot Presidential campaign. He remained outspoken about politics for the remainder of his life. Bill had varied interests and actively pursued them as long as his health allowed. His passions included woodworking, snow skiing, scuba diving and sailing; he enjoyed his last sailing adventure in July 2020 with his daughter, Debi. Later in life, Bill became an avid reader, a factor that contributed to his sharp mind even as his body declined. He also loved cooking and playing the guitar, although, self-admittedly, he couldn’t carry a tune. That didn’t stop him however, from belting one out to anyone who would listen, and his best audience was always his dog, Chocolate. Those who knew him well would tell you that Bill was a funny man who loved to laugh. He also loved to help people whenever he was able. He was loyal, hard working, hardheaded and hot-tempered. And sometimes all at once! Bill is survived by his daughters Debi (John) Shank of Sacramento, and Susan (Brian) Wiacek of Granite Bay; granddaughters Krista (Bruce) Eary of Esparto, and Adrianne D’Amato of Granite Bay; sisters Joan Saucier of Las Vegas, NV, and Alice (Bob) Mayo of Walnut Creek, CA, and brother, Alan of Las Vegas, NV, in addition to numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends… and unfinished projects. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his beloved boxer, Chocolate. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at 1pm at Touchstone Christian Fellowship, 5300 Madison Ave, Sacramento, CA, 95841. Remembrances in his name can be made to the Northern California Boxer Rescue (https://ncbr.org/tributes).