by the El Reportero’staff
William F. Ortega (6/3/32 – 2/16/11)
The Nicaraguan community is mourning the loss of a beloved fellow member. Nicaraguan born and Panama raised William Fenton Ortega, better know as ‘Panamá,’ died February 16, 2011 of heart failure. He was 79 years old. Born on June 3, 1923 Ortega was raised by his aunts after his mother’s death. In a family of eight, Ortega stood out by coming to San Francisco in 1957.
He excelled in sports during the Pan American Games as a basketball star, representing Nicaragua when he was in his 20s. In San Francisco, he worked hard as a mechanic and became a body shop expert in a matter of time.
This led to the opening of his own body shop, “Panama Garage” which opened in the 1970’s and lasted approximately five years.
Around 1983 Ortega took his love for sports in a new direction. In partnership with his longtime friend, George Howell, Ortega began Polideportiva, a sports magazine that would only be short lived. His daughter Brenda was at his side helping him. This did not discourage his love for sports but merely influenced it as he later became an umpire for baseball games as a radio narrator.
A heart disease that started 8 eight years ago, did not stop Ortega, he enjoyed life and in his free time he would play the trumpet, umpire, and travel. His frequent travels to Nicaragua were never by plane but by car. He loved his home country and always managed to stay connected.
As his daughter, Stella Maria de Sandoval stated, “My father lived his life on his own terms without worrying about tomorrow,” and the same was shared by his daughter Brenda. Ortega’s heart became too weak and family stood by his side as his heart stopped. He is survived by his wife Blanca Stella Ortega, three sons, William Ortega Jr., Edgar Antonio and Walter Ortega; two daughters, Brenda de Guzman, Stella María de Sandoval, his eight grandchildren, Bill Ortega Jr., Lizette, Jason Mendieta, Asly Mendieta, Panchito Sandoval, Alex Sandoval, Amandita Ortega, Walter Jr. Ortega and six great-grandchildren, 3 boys and 3 girls.
M a s s w a s h e l d Wednesday February 23 followed by his burial at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, Colma, California. The staff of El Reportero and especially it editor, Marvin Ramírez, who considered Ortega one of his best friends for many years, join the Ortega family during these difficult time and offer their most sincere condolences.
