Mr William "Bill" Soares

William “Bill” Soares, 82, a resident of Madera California since 2000, passed away on January 20, 2022.

A native of Ventura, California, he grew up in the westside town of San Joaquin. He graduated from Tranquility High School and later attended Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and Fresno State where he graduated before enrolling at the University of Pacific School of Pharmacy in Stockton. Following graduation he returned to the westside to operate El Rancho Drug Stores in San Joaquin and Firebaugh for many years before closing and going to work for Longs Drugs (now CVS) in Madera.

Bill was a kind and considerate professional who always looked out for his pharmacy customers willing to go the extra mile for those who needed his assistance. In the community he was a member of St. Joachim Catholic Church. An avid sports fan, with his favorite teams being the Giants Baseball Team, the Warriors Basketball team, and Forty-Niners Football team.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents Anthony Soares and Thelma Dutra Soares, a sister Donna White and by a wife Raquel Soares.

Bill is survived by his wife of 17 years Rosary Soares of Madera, a son William A. Soares Jr. and his wife Kylee of Elk Grove, CA, a daughter Randi Mills and her husband Jon of San Jose, CA. and by his four grandchildren, Jack Soares, Matthew Soares, Grace Mills and Ellie Mills.

Bill’s family gives special thanks to the team of Asera Care Hospice, and to his personal care givers, Rosalicia Herrera, and Joann Razo.

Recitation of the Rosary will be on Thursday, February 3, 2022 at 11:30 AM followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 12 Noon both at St. Joachim Catholic Church in Madera. Entombment will follow at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum in Fresno.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic masks are requested to be worn by those in attendance at the service.

Remembrances in his memory may be made to St. Joachim Catholic Church.