Guillermo Rodriguez Garay

Guillermo “Willie” Rodríguez Garay died at his home in Keene on May 19, 2026 after a years-long battle with cancer. He was 90 years old and a much loved father, grandfather and uncle.
He was born in David, Chiriqui province in Panama on Jan. 10, 1936 and was the second oldest of 12 siblings. As a child he served as an altar boy at the local Catholic church and was a Boy Scout.
By the time he was a teenager both his parents had died, and he eventually moved to the capital, Panama City. It was there that he completed his education as a radio telegraph operator at Escuela de Artes y Oficios Melchor Lasso de la Vega.
He went on to work in telecommunications at Tropical Radio Telegraph Company and the U.S. Navy in what was then the Canal Zone. He was selected by his colleagues to be a union steward.
While still a student he worked as a cab driver and he frequently drove passengers to the Bella Vista Theater. It was there that he met Nelsis Montenegro, whom he married on Nov. 27, 1966.
They raised 3 children together: Willie’s nephew Raul, whom he adopted, and daughters Nelsis Ibeth and Anabelle.
In 1984 the family immigrated to the U.S. Willie worked in construction throughout the Dallas-Forth area and later in the shipping and receiving department of a natural products company before retiring.
Willie enjoyed road trips; he made multiple international journeys between Panama and the United States. He and several family members were featured in a the Penticton, British Columbia newspaper in 1977 for driving from Panama to Canada in his trusty station wagon.
Willie was baptized into the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Alvarado more than two decades ago.
After retiring, Willie spent time visiting family in Panama, chatting with friends at Lopez Tire Shop and working on cars. He dabbled in mechanics and was quick to help neighbors, family and friends with their cars.
He is survived by his daughter Nelsis Talley, son-in-law Troy Talley, grandsons Christian and Kyle Talley; his daughter Anabelle Garay; his son Raul Garay; his siblings Jose Melo, Marcos, Julio, Lidia, and Adriano Alvarado; and many nieces, nephews and friends.