Loss of our club member - WillyR
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 8:49 am
It is with great sadness that I report that WillyR, known to our club (Tin Lizzies of Albuquerque) as Angel Pena, passed away suddenly on Saturday, August 23rd. Angel and his 12-year-old son were planning to participate in an annual Model T show at the Ford dealership in Edgewood, NM, approx. 30 miles from their home. Their 1924 coupe was already out of the garage and ready to go. When his son went upstairs to look for his father, he found him on the bedroom floor unresponsive. His wife and emergency medical personnel were unable to revive him and his cause of death is unknown at this time. We had 11 Model Ts at the car show and were surprised when Angel and his son didn't make it to the event as planned. We found out only yesterday of this terrible news.
This unexpected passing was a great shock to his family and our club as Angel appeared to be in good health and was in his early 50's, making him and his son, the youngest active members in our club. In the brief time he was with us, Angel embraced the Model T hobby with passion and gusto. On some occasions, his was the only Model T driven to some activities such as our monthly breakfasts. In less than a year on the MTFCA Forum he had posted 359 times and had over 45,000 views! As you've probably gleaned from his posts, Angel loved maintaining, customizing, and driving his coupe. He and his son also attended our club meetings and workdays at Dr. Larry Azevedo's garage where they enthusiastically helped other members work on their cars. Although they had only been members of our club a short time, Angel's love and total commitment to the Model T hobby was inspirational.
Angel worked as a medical technician at the local VA Hospital and was a military veteran. Sadly too, he had been looking forward to an early retirement. The preliminary information is that he will be laid to rest at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM. Angel's 12-year-old son has let us know that he'd like to continue participating in our club activities and we'll do what we can to make that a reality.
I and the other members of the Tin Lizzies of Albuquerque will miss Angel very much. Our deepest condolences and prayers go out to his family.
Mark Wing
2025 President
Tin Lizzies of Albuquerque
P.S. - Angel's posting name of WillyR and Forum name of (Vilhelm VonRaschke) was based on a pro wrestler that he admired and thought amusing.
This unexpected passing was a great shock to his family and our club as Angel appeared to be in good health and was in his early 50's, making him and his son, the youngest active members in our club. In the brief time he was with us, Angel embraced the Model T hobby with passion and gusto. On some occasions, his was the only Model T driven to some activities such as our monthly breakfasts. In less than a year on the MTFCA Forum he had posted 359 times and had over 45,000 views! As you've probably gleaned from his posts, Angel loved maintaining, customizing, and driving his coupe. He and his son also attended our club meetings and workdays at Dr. Larry Azevedo's garage where they enthusiastically helped other members work on their cars. Although they had only been members of our club a short time, Angel's love and total commitment to the Model T hobby was inspirational.
Angel worked as a medical technician at the local VA Hospital and was a military veteran. Sadly too, he had been looking forward to an early retirement. The preliminary information is that he will be laid to rest at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM. Angel's 12-year-old son has let us know that he'd like to continue participating in our club activities and we'll do what we can to make that a reality.
I and the other members of the Tin Lizzies of Albuquerque will miss Angel very much. Our deepest condolences and prayers go out to his family.
Mark Wing
2025 President
Tin Lizzies of Albuquerque
P.S. - Angel's posting name of WillyR and Forum name of (Vilhelm VonRaschke) was based on a pro wrestler that he admired and thought amusing.