aware of how our decisions and actions affected our customers, our business and our family. Hopefully, we can honor his legacy in the same way he honored the community.” When Valenzuela started his drywall company in 1979, Cindy was a junior in high school. She remembers that in the company’s first years, her father had few employees and worked long days. However, she said her dad (affectionately known as Tata within the family) was always on time for family dinner. Though Valenzuela achieved significant wealth, he and his wife never moved from the modest home near Prince and Flowing Wells Roads where they raised their children. Valenzuela was a huge supporter of the Air National Guard’s 162nd Fighter Wing at Tucson International Airport, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and the proposed deployment of the Air Force’s new F-35 fighter jet in Tucson. He also encouraged everyone who would listen to hire military veterans into civilian jobs. “I was fortunate to know Bill both professionally and personally. He was the same person regardless of the situation. He lived his faith every day in all his relationships. He was an inspiration to all of us,” said Mark Mistler, president of the Southern Arizona region
for BBVA Compass Bank. Valenzuela was Arizona State Chair Emeritus for the National Committee of Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve. He was also the first recipient of the “Tucson Light: William G. Valenzuela Legacy Award,” which annually recognizes exemplary service to the community. There have been many other special jobs, awards and honors. Valenzuela was a past chairman of the Tucson Airport Authority and the Tucson Metro Chamber. He was the 2003 winner of the Construction Industry’s Good Scout Award, and the 2004 recipient of the Tucson Chamber Man of the Year Award. In 2008, he not only received the Patrick Henry Award from the National Guard Bureau of the United States, but he was also inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame. Overall he’s received numerous awards and served on dozens of boards for banks, councils, charities and civic groups. “My dad did so many things for so many people, but he never wanted recognition for it,” said Arino. “He did things because they needed to be done. He always wanted to help and he was glad to do it.” Arino said her dad always stressed the importance of education and work-
ing hard in school to his children. She said he “was an awesome father” and that many of the most important lessons he taught were done by example. “He treated everyone with dignity and respect,” she said. “It didn’t matter what walk of life they were from. My mom and dad opened their door to everyone. On Thanksgiving, my father frequently brought people who didn’t have a place to go for dinner to our house. We always had plenty of food and extra chairs.” Shoopman recalled he once took Valenzuala up in an F-16 Fighter in recognition for all he had done for the 162nd and its members. “It was a memorable experience for both of us. As we taxied onto the runway, Bill’s entire family gathered close by to watch us take off. Following our vertical climb out of sight over the airport, I was told his youngest grandson tugged at his grandmother’s pants and asked, ‘Tata go to heaven?’ “On that enjoyable day Bill got a little closer to heaven for a while, but returned to earth and his loving family. Now, nine years later, Tata has gone to heaven for good and he will be sorely missed. Bill enriched the lives of so many people. My life was made better for knowing him.”
Biz
PHOTO: PATRICK GRIMES
From left: Roy & Yolanda Valenzuela, Mike & Cindy Arino, Mark & Shelly Cordova, William G. & Celina Valenzuela, Walter & Eileen Cochran, Kim & Elva Dillavou, Richard & Debbie Baxter (Photo taken in 2001, when Bill Valenzuela was honored as “Father of the Year” by the Father’s Day Council Tucson)
Fall 2012 > > > BizTucson 193