Willy Ernesto Salinas' Obituary
On the beautiful, clear evening of October 21, 2021, with his wife, and three of his four loving children and nephew by his side, Willy Ernesto Salinas, age 68, passed from a life and family he loved with all his heart and was reunited with his loving brother, even Jesus the Christ, his father, sister, grandparents, and family and friends waiting for his arrival on the other side of the veil.
Willy was born on December 28, 1953 in Lima, Peru to Ernesto Ismael Salinas Iriate and Teresa Josefa Becerra Chavez. He was one of 4 children.
On July 27, 1998 he married the one true love of his life, Christina Ann Salinas— in the Manti City Temple. They cherished one another. Together they raised three beautiful children. He called her “Mi Riena” (his queen) and she called him Mi Rey (my king).
In 1983 Willy received his Bachelors of Industrial Engineering. Before coming to the United States, Willy enjoyed working in Importing/Exporting and never lost the passion and dream to continue importing from his beautiful country of Peru. As an engineer, part of the sacrifice he made in coming to America was starting at the bottom. He experienced great humility in menial jobs. But by far, his most cherished, enjoyed, and loved job was that of a bus driver for the school district. He loved working together with his wife. He loved his co-workers, serving other drivers and working with students. When he became hospitalized, daily he would tell his wife how much he missed his students. Many of them were special needs. He loved them.
In 1987 he converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was compelled to share his testimony with others of his knowledge of his brother Jesus Christ and the opportunity to be sealed for time and all eternity to his family. He loved people and he loved children. He was extremely passionate about life, family, health, soccer, Peru, rebuilding his jeep, and home and yard improvements. He absolutely loved coaching soccer to youth and loved watching them grow. He was very friendly and was loved by so many. He loved educating his family, friends and really anyone he would meet about what he was learning and studying. He treated his body as if he would live to 100 years of age. He served with 100% energy and love. He enjoyed it and savored it. He never did anything he didn’t want to do. You always knew where you stood with him. He was honest and direct. He survived health challenges and received a new liver in 2015. When he passed away his liver was in great condition. He loved his body, he treated it like it was a beautiful temple. He took great care of himself, his wife and his children. He loved his family and his native country of Peru. He was so happy to become a citizen of the United States and have dual citizenship. He sacrificed so much in coming to America to better the future for his posterity. He made many sacrifices and he paid the price willingly to ensure his family had the very most he could provide.
He is survived by his wife Christina; son Willy Ismael Salinas Canales of Huacho, Peru (from a previous marriage) son David Salinas of Saratoga Springs, UT, daughter Mariesa Morford of St. George,UT and daughter Mya Salinas of Saratoga Springs, UT; 3 grandchildren. Mariciel Salinas of Huacho, Peru, and Giselle & Paris Castro of St. George; mother Teresa Becerra Chavez; brother Rueben Salinas and sister Lilia Salinas Becerra. He was preceded in death by his father Ernesto Ismael Salinas Iriate; sister Ruth Salinas; grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 11am, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel at 163 E. Ring Rd in Saratoga Springs, UT. Thank you for your friendship and service.
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