Mansfield ~~ Wilson “Bill” David Work, 66, of Mansfield, Texas, passed away on September 26, 2022, after a short and sudden illness.
Bill was born in Wadsworth, Ohio on August 10, 1956, to John and Mary Work, moving to Southern California before he was a year old. After Bill graduated from Anaheim High School in 1974, he attended college in Fullerton, California with the dream of becoming a professional baseball pitcher. Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances and knee injuries eliminated that dream, and Bill went on to a short enlistment in the Navy.
In early 1980, Bill met Sileste in Anaheim, California. They dated until mid-1981 before separating. During their separation, Bill moved from California to Colorado. After a few short-term jobs, Bill settled and worked at Factual Data in Loveland, Colorado for 12 years. After a 36-year separation from 1981 to 2017, Bill and Sileste reunited, Bill moved from Colorado to Texas, and they married in September 2017.
An avid sports fan, with his most passionate sport being baseball, Bill’s favorite team was the Colorado Rockies. He enjoyed collecting team and player memorabilia and displaying it in his home and organizing his extensive baseball card collection. Bill enjoyed music, having been a drummer at one time, and was proud of the long list of concerts he had attended. In his better days, Bill also enjoyed fishing. Upon moving to Texas Bill retired on disability and enjoyed his fur child companions Finn, Reese, Sara, Rockie and Angel.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, John and Mary Work. He is survived by his wife Sileste Work, his biological son Ryan (Elizabeth) Gusman of Yorba Linda, California, his in-laws John and Carrie Bianco of Scottsdale, Arizona, his brother John Work of Apache Junction, Arizona, his brother Tom (Kathy) Work of Bakersfield, California, his sisters-in-law Karen McClure (Todd Masot) and Dorie (Greg) Perna of Parker, Colorado, his sister-in-law Jennifer Overton of Wheatridge, Colorado, his stepson Jon (Heather) Stroud of Arlington, Texas, his stepdaughter Zandria (Sara) Roy-Combs of Albuquerque, New Mexico, 5 grandchildren, Matthew, Skyler, James, Jezzica, and Benjamin, 3 great-grandchildren, Jace, Lilly and Landyn, and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Bill’s wife would like to thank Anya of Always Best Care of Dallas for her assistance as his caregiver during his last days of life. A special thanks to her parents John and Carrie Bianco for their support and assistance in providing home health care; their son Jon Stroud for being there at a moment’s notice for any needed assistance; their dearest friend Judy Miller for being her rock and accompanying her in meetings with medical staff so nothing was missed, forgotten or misunderstood; Bill’s brother Tom for answering her many calls and being a great sounding board; Bill’s niece Kelly Work for deciphering medical lingo for her so she had a better understanding of Bill’s condition and medical/test result notes, and her Ultimate Tool & Safety family for their tremendous support and outpouring of love and concern.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at a later date. Lone Star Cremation has been entrusted with his cremation arrangements.
Cheri Finley
I’m deeply sorry for the loss of this magnificent man who was so significant to many. May peace, love & comfort guide you all in his passing. My dearest friend Sileste, you did so very much for Bill & made him happy. I’m so glad you were guided back together to spend the time with each other. My deepest condolences for you.
Sileste Work
My dear Cheri, Thank you so much for your kind words. They mean the world to me. I am so fortunate to have you in my life and on my side. I love you dearly. ~ Sileste
Carrie Bianco
Peace and Blessings to Bill and his continued journey; as well as the family left behind. May we all live life as if it is our last day, everyday!
Sileste Work
Carrie, Most only dream of having a stepmother who is full of so much kindness and love. The day my dad met you was a blessing to our family. I can’t thank you enough for everything you did to assist me in caring for Bill, for your concern, you prayers and your wisdom. I love you so much and am so grateful for all you are and all you do. ~ Sileste
Annia Lara
I am very glad support him last days .
God Bless .
Sileste Work
Annia, I am so sorry for misspelling your name in the obituary. I want to thank you for the 4 nights you were there to care for my husband. He was so comfortable with you and I know he appreciated all you did to help him maintain his dignity. Always Best Care is definitely lucky to have you, and we were lucky you were the angel they sent to us. ~ Sileste Work
Jess & Brandon Perna
We are celebrating the life of a very sweet and loved man, and sending you lots of love, Aunt Sileste . Our deepest condolences that you two did not get more time together.
Sileste Work
Jess & Brandon, Thank you for all your thoughts, prayers and the beautiful flowers. Bill was so nervous when he first met my family, but came to love all of you as if he’d known you for years. I am so glad we were able to be there in July so he could see everyone. When he found out how ill he was, he too mentioned that he was glad we were able to make that trip, knowing it would be his last. I love you both ~ Aunt Sileste
Lisa P
Our family sends love & prayers to Sileste & all loved ones of Bill. We are so very sorry for your loss. Though the miles separate us, we are still here to support you in anyway we can.
“Gone from our sights, but never our hearts”
Sileste Work
Lisa, I wish you weren’t so far away. I could really use one of our coffee visits right now. I know I will be okay, and am so thankful for all your messages and texts of support. I love you, my dear sweet BFF. ~ Sileste
Tim Flannery
I’m saddened to hear Bills passing. Bill and I were high school buddy’s that played ball together, ran around together, went to Church together as kids, surfed together, abit of everything over a few years. I have very fond memories of our time together, prayers of healing light of love to the family. Until we meet again, Godspeed Amigo. Tim
Sileste Work
Tim,
Thank you so much for your heartfelt words. Bill spoke of you often and was so proud of you for getting to the place he always dreamed of. He would be honored to know you thought of him.
Sileste Work
Suzie
My heartfelt condolences Sileste. This last month was so hard for you both! How very blessed you both were to have had one another. Continues prayer for you as you learn how to breathe without Bill. Love and hugs.
Tom Work
hey my brother. John and I are still mourning your passing and miss you very much, We are keeping in touch with Silleste, and admire her immensely for taking care of you the way she did.
Your Brother,
Tom
John L. Work
Sixty-six years ago my brother Tom and I were suddenly taken to our grandparents’ place in Pennsylvania, while our mother brought Bill into this world. I was nine years old. I think Tom was four. I remember we two brothers returning to our Wadsworth, Ohio home with our father, and seeing our newborn brother Bill for the first time. Our mother took us upstairs and introduced us to this tiny baby, who was sleeping in his crib. I can still see him there.
I spent a lot of time with Bill during his childhood. To say we were close to each other as we grew up is greatly understating our relationship. When I was eighteen, I even took this kid brother with my girlfriend and me on a date to the movie theater. I told Bill I was going out to a show with Nancy. He wanted to go, too. I just couldn’t say “No.” So I asked Nancy if it was okay with her for Bill to come with us (what a good sport Nancy was!) – and we had an eight-year-old tagging along for the evening.
I remember doing the public address announcing during some of Bill’s Little League baseball games. He was a great ball player. Many years later, he and I coached my grandson Clayton, who was learning the position of pitcher. Bill came to watch Clayton’s football games.
He burst into tears on the morning I left home to go to college in Colorado. Bill was nine years old. I sobbed in the back seat of my parents’ car clear out to Barstow.
Bill was always there. He and I met for lunch at Culver’s Restaurant at least once a week when we lived in Colorado. After Bill moved to Texas, he and Sileste invited me to their home for a wonderful, memorable Thanksgiving. One time they drove hundreds of miles from Texas to surprise me for my birthday in Loveland, Colorado.
Bill and I talked by phone nearly every day until his health failed. I went to Texas to visit him in the hospital as he approached the end of his life. I love my brother dearly. I know Sileste loves him dearly. He was the love of her life.
I still miss his phone calls. I saved his last voice message in my phone. His passing left an immense void in my life.
I’m sorry for all of us, Sileste.
I shall not forget him.