William H. Oakes Jr

William H. Oakes Jr

William "Billy" H. Oakes, Jr., age 60, passed away Monday, May 29, 2023 at UPMC Hamot Hospital. He was born on May 23, 1963 in Erie, a son of the late William H. Oakes, Sr. and Mae Meehl.

Billy was a graduate of Strong Vincent High School, Class of 1981. He was a talented cook in the kitchens of many restaurants in the Erie area including the Bel-Aire Hotel, Marketplace Grill, The Pufferbelly Restaurant, Alto Cucina, and most recently Calamari's Squid Row and Cali's West. Over the years he worked at every position in the kitchen from line-cook to Chef. Billy was a die hard San Francisco 49ers fan and also followed the Cleveland Guardians and Nebraska Cornhuskers.

He is survived by his loving companion of 28 years, Rose Vallimont; his step-children whom he considered his own, Aubrey Nieves (Carlos) and Michael O'Hara (Holly Baldauf) and their children, Izabella, Vincent, and Kylin Nieves and August O'Hara; his brother Joseph Oakes (Sharon); his sisters, Tricia Haught (Todd) and Deborah Hopkins (David); and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Billy's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all his co-workers and friends, especially Jay and Marci Honard of Calamari's, for all the love and support they have shown during this difficult time.

Friends are invited to call at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street on Monday from 3 p.m. until the time of the funeral service there at 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Blended Spirits Ranch at www.blendedspiritsranch.org.