William De La Cruz, 88, of Hernando, FL, passed away on Sat. Dec. 29, 2012 at Hospice House in Lecanto. A native of Denver, CO, he was born Sept. 19, 1924 to Juan and Cleotilda (Martinez) De La Cruz, one of nine children. He was raised in Cheyenne, WY and his family then moved to California. Mr. De La Cruz was a quality assurance analyst in the aerospace industry, most recently with Rockwell International, a position from which he retired. He also held positions with Hughes Aircraft and Ford Aerospace during his career and also served his country for more than 20 years in the U.S. Navy. Bill, as he was known by many, moved to Citrus County in 1979 from Ferrisburg, VT and was a parishioner of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Beverly Hills, FL. He is survived by his wife of nearly 38 years, Barbara A. (Gumm) De La Cruz, Hernando; his seven children: Judith Ann Williams (David), Rio Rancho, NM; Katherine Mary Kincer (Larry), Marietta, GA; Rich De La Cruz (Becky), Silver Lake, WI; Lawrence Bennett (Susan), Miami, FL; William Francis De La Cruz (Lora), Boulder, CO; Kathy Ann Williams (Kenneth), Mission Vallejo, CA and Howard William Bennett (Emma), Miami, FL; siblings Stella Daggy and Joe and John De La Cruz, all of California; 14 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by a daughter, Lee Ann De La Cruz, in 1971 and siblings Frank, Salvatore, Jimmy, Beatrice and Diana as well as a grandson, Robert. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thurs., Jan, 3, 2013 at 9:00 A.M. from Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Beverly Hills. Interment will follow at Fero Memorial Gardens with military honors rendered by the U.S. Navy. Friends will be received on Wed., Jan. 2nd from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Fero Funeral Home, Beverly Hills. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Citrus County, P.O. Box 641270, Beverly Hills, FL 34464 www.ferofuneralhome.com