Wilfrido Arias Cervantes

Wilfrido met his wife, Evangelina, in the same area in Mexico when he was 20 years old. He had seen her and other ladies in the family go into town and fetch water and groceries. One day, she dropped a tomato in the front of his house and that was where their relationship started. They married on February 28, 1972. Later that year, they moved to the United States in search of a better life and became legal permanent residents. They lived in Torrance, CA and spent their free time at Redondo Beach. He worked in several factories where he helped to make motorcycle helmets and car tire rims.

His first son, Jose Wilfredo was born in 1973 in Torrance. Shortly after, as more family members began moving to the US from Mexico for work, he and his wife and son joined them in the Delano Community where many including them worked in field work. In 1976, their second child, Irma, was born. Soon after, they moved into their home on 17th Avenue where the family has resided ever since. He had two more children years later: Carolina in 1984, and Cecilia in 1987.

While his wife and siblings continued working as farm laborers, Wilfrido wanted to do more. He enrolled in night school at Delano High School, learned English, and earned his GED. He continued his education at San Joaquin Valley College where he earned his certification in Accounting and then a second certification in Tax Preparation from H&R Block. These credentials allowed him to become a tax preparer during tax cycles and a full time car salesman. He also eventually became a US citizen. Willy, as he later became known, had achieved the American dream.

Another dream of his was creating music and sharing it with others, a talent that has been passed down to some of his children and grandchildren. In the 80’s, he was part of a musical group known as “Grupo Alza Musical.” He played the keyboard and was joined by a brother, two friends, and a brother-in-law. They traveled to Hollywood to record their first hits and take photographs for their album cover. Their songs were played throughout area radio stations and those records with the blue labels were found in many households. They even had an Alza Fan Club. Sadly, like it happens sometimes, the band had some disagreements and separated after a few years. All band members eventually joined other musical groups that performed locally at area events, but none went on to have the success that Grupo Alza Musical one had.

That didn’t stop music from being a part of Willy’s everyday life. He loved to play his blue accordion for years until it gave out. He bought a new accordion a few years ago that he loved so much, he once said that “not even death would separate them as he would go on to play music for God in Heaven.”

Willy passed away in his sleep on December 14, 2023 in the same house where he was born in El Triunfo. He was visiting family and checking on the family property and had plans to return home on December 20th. That is the day his body arrived from Mexico. He was preceded in death by his son Jose in 2019. That was a very difficult loss for him to deal with and he often said that he looked forward to seeing him again and often referred to their time together as “Epocas de Sol” after the hit “Seasons of the Sun” by Terry Jacks - “we had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun.” Jose also played in several musical groups and eventually came to love the accordion as well. We know that the two of them are now playing their accordions together in heaven.

Willy was also preceded in death by his father, Rafael, his mother, Maria Carmen, and his brother Eduardo. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Evangelina; his daughters, Irma Cervantes Lancaster, Carolina Cervantes, and Cecilia Cervantes; his grandsons, Jose Wilfrido Cervantes Jr., Eric Andrew Cervantes, Christopher Rene Cervantes, and Luis Manuel Barajas; his siblings, Arnulfo, Sergio, Gloria, and Carolina.

Services will be held on January 3, 2024. Viewing and Rosary at 1:15pm and Mass at 2:00pm will take place at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Burial will follow at North Kern Cemetery at 3:00pm. Family and friends are invited to celebrate his life at a reception following the burial at Our Lady of Guadalupe Hall.

The Cervantes family extends their deepest gratitude to all those who have supported them financially and emotionally during this difficult time.

Services entrusted to Funeraria Del Angel Delano, a Dignity Memorial provider.