Wilhelmina is the daughter of Joe A. and Mary E. Mendes. Growing up on a dairy in Stratford, California, Willie and her five siblings worked hard to support the family during times of hardship. Willie attended Lemoore Union High School, graduating with honors. Following her dream to become a fashion designer, she attended the college of the Sequoias. During this time, Willie met the love of her life, Manuel Camara. They were married in April 1959.
The couple set up housekeeping at the Camara-Pereira dairy on Excelsior Ave. and remained in the same location during their 55-year marriage. Willie and Manuel are the loving and devoted parents of four children. Willie actively devoted her life to raising her family as well as sharing her artistic talent. She was president of the Mother's Club and was a co-founder of the Calico Art Festival at Kings-River Hardwick School. They still use her artwork as the logo for the festival.
Willie's first business venture was a home-based ceramics studio known as "Country Crafts," giving students and clients alike a place to enjoy the art of ceramics. Willie then opened a floral and gift shop called "Green N Things," becoming popular for her unique floral arrangements and gifts. After 28 years of dedicated floristry, the shop eventually moved to its present location and changed its name to "Petals and Presents."
Throughout her life, Willie made many lifelong friends due to her generous and welcoming spirit. Her generosity was overstated during her many family gatherings, bringing joy and laughter to both her friends and family with great games and even better food.
Willie is preceded in death by her parents, her sister and brother-in-law Roselyn and Charles Mason and her brothers-in-law Alvin Camara and Frank Pereira.
The Sentinel, Hanford, CA 2014
The couple set up housekeeping at the Camara-Pereira dairy on Excelsior Ave. and remained in the same location during their 55-year marriage. Willie and Manuel are the loving and devoted parents of four children. Willie actively devoted her life to raising her family as well as sharing her artistic talent. She was president of the Mother's Club and was a co-founder of the Calico Art Festival at Kings-River Hardwick School. They still use her artwork as the logo for the festival.
Willie's first business venture was a home-based ceramics studio known as "Country Crafts," giving students and clients alike a place to enjoy the art of ceramics. Willie then opened a floral and gift shop called "Green N Things," becoming popular for her unique floral arrangements and gifts. After 28 years of dedicated floristry, the shop eventually moved to its present location and changed its name to "Petals and Presents."
Throughout her life, Willie made many lifelong friends due to her generous and welcoming spirit. Her generosity was overstated during her many family gatherings, bringing joy and laughter to both her friends and family with great games and even better food.
Willie is preceded in death by her parents, her sister and brother-in-law Roselyn and Charles Mason and her brothers-in-law Alvin Camara and Frank Pereira.
The Sentinel, Hanford, CA 2014
Wilhelmina is the daughter of Joe A. and Mary E. Mendes. Growing up on a dairy in Stratford, California, Willie and her five siblings worked hard to support the family during times of hardship. Willie attended Lemoore Union High School, graduating with honors. Following her dream to become a fashion designer, she attended the college of the Sequoias. During this time, Willie met the love of her life, Manuel Camara. They were married in April 1959.
The couple set up housekeeping at the Camara-Pereira dairy on Excelsior Ave. and remained in the same location during their 55-year marriage. Willie and Manuel are the loving and devoted parents of four children. Willie actively devoted her life to raising her family as well as sharing her artistic talent. She was president of the Mother's Club and was a co-founder of the Calico Art Festival at Kings-River Hardwick School. They still use her artwork as the logo for the festival.
Willie's first business venture was a home-based ceramics studio known as "Country Crafts," giving students and clients alike a place to enjoy the art of ceramics. Willie then opened a floral and gift shop called "Green N Things," becoming popular for her unique floral arrangements and gifts. After 28 years of dedicated floristry, the shop eventually moved to its present location and changed its name to "Petals and Presents."
Throughout her life, Willie made many lifelong friends due to her generous and welcoming spirit. Her generosity was overstated during her many family gatherings, bringing joy and laughter to both her friends and family with great games and even better food.
Willie is preceded in death by her parents, her sister and brother-in-law Roselyn and Charles Mason and her brothers-in-law Alvin Camara and Frank Pereira.
The Sentinel, Hanford, CA 2014
The couple set up housekeeping at the Camara-Pereira dairy on Excelsior Ave. and remained in the same location during their 55-year marriage. Willie and Manuel are the loving and devoted parents of four children. Willie actively devoted her life to raising her family as well as sharing her artistic talent. She was president of the Mother's Club and was a co-founder of the Calico Art Festival at Kings-River Hardwick School. They still use her artwork as the logo for the festival.
Willie's first business venture was a home-based ceramics studio known as "Country Crafts," giving students and clients alike a place to enjoy the art of ceramics. Willie then opened a floral and gift shop called "Green N Things," becoming popular for her unique floral arrangements and gifts. After 28 years of dedicated floristry, the shop eventually moved to its present location and changed its name to "Petals and Presents."
Throughout her life, Willie made many lifelong friends due to her generous and welcoming spirit. Her generosity was overstated during her many family gatherings, bringing joy and laughter to both her friends and family with great games and even better food.
Willie is preceded in death by her parents, her sister and brother-in-law Roselyn and Charles Mason and her brothers-in-law Alvin Camara and Frank Pereira.
The Sentinel, Hanford, CA 2014
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