CIOMA is Very Sad to Announce the Passing of Bill Ramos
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"William "Bill" Ramos, beloved by family and friends passed away peacefully on August 1, 2018, three days after his 93rd birthday at home surrounded by his loving family. Born of humble beginnings to Frank L. and Mary S. Ramos on July 29, 1925 in Fairfield, California, Bill Ramos began his life’s journey as a one-of-a-kind, generous, loving man who made a difference in the lives of everyone he touched.
"Bill, or Papa to his family, grew up on a farm in the Delta on Steamboat Slough and learned the value of family and hard work, early on. As he and his brother Frank helped till the delta soil along-side their father Frank Sr., Bill learned the importance of carving his own path in life, giving back to those in need, and having a vision to create a better future for himself and his family.
"At 17, Bill was inspired by a strong sense of patriotism, and skipped his senior year at Rio Vista High School to enlist in the United States Navy during World War II. As the son of Spanish immigrants, Bill proudly defended the values of our country by serving three years of active duty in the Pacific theater of the war. His service in the Navy during World War II, as one of the "greatest generation", remained one of Bill’s proudest contributions to his country, among many. Bill served on an aviation gasoline tanker during the war, and in later years would reference that experience as his start in the oil business.
"Returning home from the war to his parent’s farm in the Nicholas/Lincoln area he went to work for the Gladding McBean clay factory in Lincoln, driving a fork lift. Bill would start his life’s work in the oil business a short time later working for Standard Oil distributors in the Nicolaus/Marysville area before eventually becoming a Shell distributor in West Sacramento in late 1951, where the company is still headquartered. While building his oil business and after many hard-learned lessons, Bill began focusing his attention on family which quickly grew with his first wife Janis (1950-1982), to include three sons, Kent, Kyle and Kris, who continue Bill’s legacy at Ramos Oil to this day.
"As Bill was expanding Ramos Oil throughout California and Nevada, he continued to work hard after Janis’ passing. In 1983, Bill met his current wife of 33 years, Sharon. With their shared values and love of family, Bill and Sharon blended two families into one that includes five children and their spouses, 12 grandchildren and their spouses, 8 great grandchildren and two more on the way. To know Bill, you would understand that as the patriarch of the family, he set an example for each generation about life’s most important lessons: to be kind, compassionate, generous and most of all, to love unconditionally.
"While Bill never retired from Ramos Oil and worked up until one week before his passing, he did enjoy life to its fullest! Bill shared many great adventures travelling the world with his wife Sharon, brother Frank and sister-in-law Joanne. The Ramos boys’ fishing trips to Alaska that he loved so much, still continue to this day. And although he loved seeing exotic new places in all of his travels, his greatest joy was taking the entire family to Maui every other summer.
"One of Bill's strongest core beliefs was to demonstrate gratitude for the blessings you receive by serving the needs of others, and giving back to the community. In doing so, he exercised the greatest degree of humility while sharing his blessings with so many. Bill could always be counted on to raise money for the church, give generously to his favorite charities and was widely known as someone who really would give you the shirt off his back.
"Bill was a longtime member of Our Lady of Grace Church in West Sacramento where he worshipped for over 30 years. Bill was also a member of the West Sacramento Rotary Club, the Grandfather’s Club, the Sutter Club and the "Pheasant Club" where he held court regularly with suppliers, customers, family and fellow Rotarians.
"Bill was predeceased by his parents Frank and Mary Ramos, first wife Janis, and sister Isabel.
"Our Bill, our Papa will be profoundly missed by all who loved him. He is survived by his loving wife Sharon Ramos, sons Kent Ramos (Holly), Kyle Ramos (Anne), Kris Ramos, step-daughter Stephanie Cvitanov (Richard), and step-son Greg Purcell (Nancy). Papa will also be greatly missed by his adoring grandchildren, great grandchildren, brother Frank, sister-in-law Joanne, his nephews, niece, and friends too numerous to list.
"The family wants to express their gratitude for the loving care provided by Katalina Fisilau during Bill’s last few months, and the outpouring of love and prayers from our extended family, dear friends, and the employees at Ramos Oil. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s name may be made to the West Sacramento Rotary Club or charity of your choice."
