Mr. Yanez was a man who exuded dignity and class in a place which sometimes lacked it.  This was evident in his mode of discourse , his everyday behavior, and  could even be witnessed in his fashion choices (I was his student during his  'suspenders' era of the late 1980s).   He taught his students that we had agency, that in spite of  the chaos of our lived experiences, we could choose wisely and live a meaningful life. In fact, his favorite oft quoted Rudyard Kipling poem still rings in my head during life's most difficult and paradoxical moments. Perhaps it is worthy of our consideration here. This centered man so clearly loved his students and his world, an example and inspiration that lives on in all who knew him.  Vaya con Dios, mi amigo!   

If—

Rudyard Kipling - 1865-1936

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or, being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;

If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with triumph and disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,

And stoop and build ’em up with worn out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on”;

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with kings—nor lose the common touch;

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run—

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,

And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

In fond remembrance of Willie. Our sincerest condolences.
With Love and Prayers
Tim & Crockett

Condolenses to all the Yanez family. Coach was a big influence on me and other teammates and remained interested in our lives beyond high school. Dude knew some English, too. Was introduced to classis I had not heard of before. 

Sending my deep felt condolences to the Yanez family and friends.  Will was kind, loving and really a crack up.  His family was his life and a great role model for husbands and dads everywhere.  RIP Will.  

JOHN IT WAS A GOOD RUN BEING YOUR CUSTODIAN AT SMHS  YOU WERE A ONE OF A KIND MAN YOU WERE A SPECIAL MAN THANK YOU FOR THE FRIENDSHIP  RIP

Coach, mentor, friend and so many other titles you held in young lives.  My son Shane Hernandez respected you very much.  Condolences to the entire Yanez family. This world has lost a great man.  Thank you Mr Yanez for keeping every promise in Shane’s life.  This Mom will never forget . 

My heart has been broken since hearing of Coach’s passing. Coach was such a special man and loved dearly by our family. I was in Coach’s first co-ed PE class and boy did we drive him crazy with all of our screaming and giggles, obviously not what he had been used to previously. However, when his birthday came along in February we went into his office and decorated it, bought him a cake and sang Happy Birthday and he agreed that was something he had not previously had with all of his boys PE classes. Years later, Paul and I would bring our own nuggets to see Coach and Vivian on Halloween and our kids would stand on their fireplace and give them a speech of the character they were dressed as. Coach and Vivian (Comadre) made them feel like the smartest and most important person. My kiddos have wonderful memories of Coach and he holds a very special place in their hearts. I was able to have breakfast with Coach and Vivian a couple of years ago when I came into town. We sat and I was able to hear all about how they had met in Blythe, with lots of laughter included in the conversation, and Coach’s smile. At the end of our time together Coach and I walked together out to the parking lot and he smiled at me and said, “that time in Blythe, meeting Vivian, that was the best time of my life.” I drove away with a warm feeling in my heart and tears in my eyes, not realizing that it was the last time that I would see Coach. Thank you Yanez Family for sharing this amazing man with our community. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

He scared me a little in the beginning……. I had him 2 years at SMHS. He was a huge presence. His words and his expressions could quiet a whole classroom down and I would look at him in awe.  I remember on road trips he would play this game about how much money he had in his pocket. If you came the closest, he would pay for your lunch or dinner. I always lost but it was fun. Glad to have him and Vivian  just down the street. 

We have lost such a great man. He was so loved and will be missed by everyone. I’m so grateful he was able to meet our children. 

Most sincerest of condolences to the Yanez family 💕

I coached JV boys basketball at SMHS during the final year Mr. Yanez coached freshman. He would look at me with those eyes that pierce right through you, eye brows slightly raised and a closed half smile. You knew what he was thinking and didn’t want to hear whatever was going to come out of that mouth. But he was always encouraging, gave out compliments when earned and was helpful in a stealthy kind of away. I admired him so much that it was kind of intimidating being in his presence. Though, he was always kind to me with that look I described above. I always got the look. Mr. Paulus and I participated in a Saints Varsity Club fundraising auction that Mr. Yanez was in charge of. The students dressed us both up as women. We had to sing “I’m a little teapot” to the student body out in the quad during lunch time and had to curtsy before every class. Mr. Yanez just looked at us with that closed mouthed smile of his.  Thank you Mr. Yanez. Later, I became a co-advisor of Saints Varsity Club with Mr. Jimenez. It was my honor to teach and coach beside Mr. Yanez. To call him my colleague. He was a true professional. This world has most certainly lost a unique and irreplaceable nugget. 

One my favorite teachers at Santa Maria High and certainly those one whose words of wisdom have stayed with me always and I’ve shared with kids. It was honor to know him and he will be greatly missed. 

My deepest condolences to the family. Just finding out about Mr. Yanez today...

Epitome of a teacher, coach, friend and human being!  His influence is far reaching than all of us will ever know, with all the energy and enthusiasm he dedicated to the high school students and parents of Santa Maria High School. The city should give this man the highest valor, working so many years with all types of "pinheads" and "sadness" to find the "nuggets" and turn them into assets to their community.  None of us would be where we are today without his teachings, advice and examples, from the English classrooms to The Breeze and to the baseball field and the basketball courts and even regular Sunday afternoon mass at St John Neumann.  Nothing was impossible, as coach would always find a way to get the best out of us, if not our hardest efforts.  Fundraising with "cow plotto," where $5 grid buyer wins prize with the cow's first dung, to journalism conventions with a detour teaching at Olvera Street and establishing future funds for scholarships and graduating class projects, Mr. Yanez went above and beyond.  Never settling but for excellence, he always would with his best efforts and time with each of his students and players, as evidenced by the endless and wonderful memories shared here.  Mr. Yanez (and Mrs. Yanez) are rare supernovas in this world, whose lights will never dim. What a privilege and an honor to have been in the graces of this wonderful man and Mrs. Y!  My sympathy and prayers...

Yanez Family,

I am so sad to hear this news. Coach will be missed. He was a God send in my life.   I’m sure he was for others too.   God sent him into my life when I needed that father figure the most.  He was strong role model who I loved and respected.  His influence on my life was immense. My prayers and thoughts are with you all.

I’m so blessed to have had this man in my life. His humor, compassion and quotes have stayed with me all these years. He made a difference in so many lives, mine included. Prayers to the Yanez family on the loss of an incredible man. 

Oh, Mr. Yanez, my favorite teacher ever!  I’m sitting here with tears in my eyes!  I was just telling someone about the metaphors he’d use in our English class.  “If you shake a tree, 99 baseball players will fall out with gloves, but one will fall out with a bat.”  Or, “I’m going to throw a lot of mud at you, and most of it will fall off, but some will stick.  I’ll keep throwing it at you until it all sticks!”  I still think of that one when I’m learning something new.   He was so very kind, and actually listened to what you had to say.  I never saw him upset, and he always encouraged us to be our best, even if it took a few tries.  Sir, the world is better for having had you in it! 

So sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Yanez. He was a great teacher, coach, and person. I enjoyed working on The Breeze at SMHS with his guidance. He will be missed. 

My deepest condolences to the family and close friends! Mr Yanez was not only a great educator but also a great example, living a peaceful and good life, giving advice when needed, and helping students when possible. He also had a great sense of humor! I specifically remember that one Summer he wanted to help those preparing to apply to Universities and held a review for all who were interested. One of the most memorable teachers and people in my life. 

Yanez family I am so sorry for your loss my deepest condolences & prayers to all of you.   Mr. Yanez was always kind and a pleasure to be around.  Sending big hugs your way Mrs. Yanez God bless you and your family.

Mr. Yanez was a great teacher and inspiration.   I'm so sorry for your loss.  Like many others I still regularly remember and reflect on the life lessons he imparted, both through his words and his actions, even 20+ years later.

Oh Mr. Yanez, I always knew you felt indifferent about me and Donna when we had an english class with you, but I also know you found us to be genuine and saw our potential. There were lots of "pinheads" as you would call some of the more rowdy kids in your class, but in the end we were all your "nuggets." I still remember your face when Donna and I both presented our poetry presentations. We both did some Shel Silverstein thing. Donna did some loud very Hole/Courtney love version of "Sarah Sylvia Cynthia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out." And I came to the class with a cauldron made of cardboard for me to sit in as I performed my memorization of "Me Stew." (We were his students in the mid 90s) 😄😄😄 You gave us both A's served with a side of "now that was interesting..." facial expressions after we had finished. So basically what I'm trying to say is, I'm glad you let us be us and appreciated that even though we were pinheads sometimes, that you understood we respected you enough to do the assignment and actually try. Cheers Mr. Yanez!

Bill was the first person I met when I began teaching at SMHS. Such an outstanding man. My condolences to Vivian and the family 

Best teacher I have had, great man!! So sorry for your loss. 

I had coach yanez for freshman English and for basketball. As i recall it i was mostly a nugget vs. Pinhead. I enjoyed him as a teacher. Rip

One of my favorite teachers in my entire academic life. He went above and beyond for his students and taught lessons, shared life advises/wisdom, and most of all engrained in someof us the importance of expanding our knowledge and reading more. He would tell us , back when he was younger he would read 10 books every summer as a goal. That following summer I tried to do read as much and began to enjoy reading books. I'll never forget him calling us nuggets. He was a great teacher and he will be missed !  SMHS Class of 1999 will always remember you ! My condolences to the family.