Wilbur “Will” Souza died Feb. 19, 2005, at Careage of Whidbey in Coupeville after an extended illness. He was born in Oakland, Calif., Nov. 23, 1918, to Manuel and Mary Gonzales Souza.

Will graduated from high school in Oakland, where he met Jane Erickson. He and Jane were married April 10, 1941 in Oakland. April 3, 1942, Will enlisted in the U.S. Army-Air Corps, where he served during World War II, finally being discharged in 1945 as a sergeant major.

When Will got out of the military he went to work for Safeway in their main distribution center located in Richmond, Calif. He became the produce foreman and remained there with the company for 33 years. In 1982, after retirement, Will and Jane moved to the Oak Harbor area to be near their family.

Will was a true animal lover. He raised just about everything imaginable from birds to horses. In recent years he kept an aviary at his home in Oak Harbor.

Wilbur Souza is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Jane Erickson Souza at the family home, and son Donald D. Souza with wife Susan of Oak Harbor. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Jeff, Jeremy, Rob, Jason, Brian and Tammy Souza and Michelle Woodman. He is survived also by four great-grandchildren, Steven, Cody, Stephanie and Joseph Souza. Will was preceded in death by his son Wilbur Fred Souza, Jr., brother Ed and sisters Elizabeth and Josephine.

A gathering to celebrate the life of Will Souza will be held at his son Don’s home Saturday, Feb. 26. Family and friends alike are invited to 485 Hazelwood Drive to join them from 1 to 4 p.m.