With a heavy heart we share the passing of our beloved father, Guillermo Alaniz, at the age of 98 on February 4, 2022. Born on June 25, 1923, he was a lifelong resident of Brownsville, Texas and a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, Olivia Cortez Alaniz.
Guillermo is also preceded in death by his father Hermenijildo Alaniz and mother Guadalupe Garcia Alaniz Mendoza; grandparents Santiago and Adela Garcia; Aunt Raquel Garcia Hermosa; and siblings Robert Mendoza, Daniel Alaniz, Lupita Cisneros, and Rose Cleghorn.
Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Patricia Cooney (Jim Cooney), Delilah Contreras (Roger Contreras), Vanessa Alaniz, and Lizet Alaniz (West Hansen); his grandchildren Stephanie Bennett (Adam Bennett), Aaron Contreras (Kimberley Palmer Contreras), and Olivia Isabella Hansen, and his great-grandchildren Landon and Finley Bennett, and Aaven and Kylie Contreras.
He served in Battery B 7th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion in World War II. He earned the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal Philippines Liberation Ribbon and was honorably discharged on June 28, 1945.
Guillermo was deeply devoted to Our Heavenly Father and served as a Deacon for many years at Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana Mexicana. He volunteered his time and service to the church and church projects. He had a long and successful career working as a contractor, Housing Director of Cameron-Willacy Counties Community Action Project, and many years as Buildings Supervisor for Cameron County. He was a kind and gentle soul and mentor to many. He had an amazing sense of humor, wit, and a heart-felt infectious laughter, and he was always grateful for what he had. A special thanks to all of Guillermo’s caregivers for their years of service including Lucy and especially to Claudia and Perla who were with him until his death.
A graveside service will be held at Buena Vista Burial Park at 1:00 pm on Friday, February 11, 2022. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Guillermo Alaniz may be made to Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana Mexicana at:
PIPM
P.O. Box 3028
Brownsville, TX 78523