Guillermo "Willie" Reyes Monarez, Jr., 62, of Orrick, Missouri, passed away on the evening of Friday, September 11, 2026, at his home surrounded by his loved ones and caretakers, after a courageous four-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Willie was born on March 10, 1964, in Newton, Kansas, to Willie Monarez, Sr. and Marie (Hurtado) Dennis.

Willie was a gifted athlete from the time he was a boy, known for his explosive speed and for excelling at whatever sport he took on including football, basketball, track, baseball and wrestling. Few people ever heard about his numerous achievements, because he never talked about it and that was Willie. He was humble to the core and carried remarkable talent without ever needing anyone to notice it. Growing up in this rural Kansas town and his time as a Herington Railer forged deep friendships that he would hold closely for all his life.

Willie gave 39 years to the BNSF Railway in Maintenance of Way as a welder. This work carried him across the United States, and he loved the country it showed him, especially the Pacific Northwest, Montana, and Idaho.

On January 28, 2020, Willie was united in marriage to Melissa Ann (Gowing) Monarez. Together they were members of the Church of the Resurrection and believed God put the two of them in each other's lives for a reason. Their years together were far too few, but they filled them well, traveling to many places and accomplishing a great deal side by side. They were each other's best friend.

Willie fought his cancer for more than four years with everything he had, because he wanted so badly to keep living the life he loved. He never complained about what he was going through, and most days it was hard to tell he was sick at all. He kept his active and healthy lifestyle throughout his treatment to do whatever he could, including going to the gym on a near daily basis. Strong and humble throughout it all, he remained one of the kindest and most thoughtful humans, and he will be dearly missed by anyone lucky enough to have known him.

Willie was preceded in death by his father, Guillermo "Willie" Monarez, Sr.; his brother, Tony Monarez; and his sister, Josette Dennis.

Willie is survived by his wife, Melissa Gowing-Monarez, of the home; his sons, Connor Monarez of Lawrence, KS and Kendall Kelley of Kansas City, KS; his mother, Marie Dennis of Greeley, CO; his siblings, Larry Gallardo of Wichita, KS, Ralph (Kristen) Dennis of Greeley, CO, and Angel Monares of Wichita, KS; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews that held a special place in his heart and he in theirs; and many close friends dating all the way back to elementary school.

Services for Willie will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Gowing Funeral Home in Orrick, Missouri. A visitation for the family to receive friends will be held from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., with the funeral service beginning at 2:30 p.m. with Pastor Anne Williams officiating. A private inurnment at Riffe Cemetery, north of Orrick, will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to the Church of the Resurrection for volunteer service initiatives.