William Anderson Rivera was 76 years old and passed in Jacksonville, Florida, on October 29, 2025.

He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on June 30, 1949, to William Anderson Crespo from Humacao, Puerto Rico, and Irma Isabel Rivera Tosado from Manati, Puerto Rico.

William attended the University of Puerto Rico and was in the U.S. Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Cadet program. He served in the Puerto Rico Army National Guard on active duty for twenty years. He also worked with the Transportation Security Administration at Tampa International Airport, Florida, for seven years.

William married Dilia Alicia Anderson on November 29, 1968, at Parroquia La Resurreccion Del Señor in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico.

He was a parishioner at Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Jacksonville, Florida, and was a member of the Hispanic Ministry.

William was an avid firearm enthusiast. He enjoyed going to shooting ranges with his family and friends and collected firearms throughout the years. He excelled in several marksmanship competitions while he served in the Army. While living in Puerto Rico, William loved fishing and taking his family camping in recreational areas and lakes. He enjoyed collecting and setting up model trains as a hobby and was also a devoted fan of the New York Yankees.

He will be remembered for saying that his proudest family moments were the births of his son, daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

William is survived by his wife Dilia Anderson, his son William Anderson (Marylin), his daughter Sheila Schuler (John), his grandchildren Kevin, Willmary (Nick), Ashley, William Gabriel “Gaby”, Mariely (Tim), Taylor, Carlos “Charlie” (Julie), and his great-grandchildren, Arya, Mila and Ivory.

There will be a Funeral Mass on January 9, 2025, at eleven o’clock in the morning at Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Jacksonville, Florida.

Please consider a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or World Vision in place of flowers.