Wai Lam "Bill" Wong

Wai Lam “Bill” Wong, 66, of Waco, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

Visitation will be Monday, November 18, 2024 from 12 pm to 1pm with Holy Rosary and Liturgical services beginning at 1 pm in the chapel of Waco Memorial Funeral Home, with Father Benjie officiating. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park.

Bill was born September 20, 1958 in Canton, China to parents, Bing Chiu and Yuet Ching Wong. Bill married Angie Abragan in February of 1997. Bill and Angie loved to travel and experience unique culinary cuisines by touring different parts of Europe or exploring the United States. Bill was an accomplished business entrepreneur starting with his family restaurant, China Row, which became the #1 Chinese Restaurant in Wichita, Kansas. He would then branch out to seafood distribution, through his shrimp and lobster Seafood Shop, to renowned businesses such as Red Lobster. Afterward, Bill and Angie would build their own strip center and lead their own restaurant, Wong’s Chinese Cuisine. He would eventually become Mel Hambelton and Friendly Ford’s top car salesman in 2000-2001 and 2004 and achieved The Legends Leaders 300/500 award from Ford Motor Company in 2002 and 2003. Bill retired in 2006 but wanted to continue serving the community at Resurrection Catholic School as the food service director and volunteer coordinator for 10 years. Bill would continue to be the family’s Master Chef and loved sharing his hobbies of gourmet cooking, KU Jayhawk basketball, and Kansas City Chiefs football with the family.

While incredibly successful in his career, Bill was known most for his friendly spirit, a natural warmth that drew people in from the moment they met him. He had a gift for connecting with everyone he encountered, whether it was a brief exchange with a customer at the restaurant or a heartfelt conversation with a lifelong friend. He turned ordinary moments into memorable experiences with his kindness, humor, and genuine interest in others. He left everyone he met a little happier than they were before. He carried a lightness about him that made even the most difficult days easier to bear for those around him. To capture Bill’s last message to us all, we recall how grandma told us all not to cry during grandpa’s passing, as this is supposed to be a celebration. Bill restated the same message during grandma’s funeral, and again, he would like us to stay strong and not to cry. Grandma, grandpa, and Bill devoted their all to come to America in search of a better life for their family. They have worked incredibly hard to provide the life that we graciously have today. Continuing on their spirit, we will continue to celebrate their lives by living our own lives to the fullest, keep moving, and enjoy each day we have with each other. Bill will be with us everywhere we go and if we ever find life difficult, know that Bill is always watching over us in heaven to help us through it.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Bing Chiu and Yuet Ching Wong.

He is survived by his wife, Angie; son, Angelo; son, Matthew and wife, Natalie; daughter, Beverly; daughter, Heather; grandchildren, Tristan, Kayla, and Olivia; and brother, Raymond.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made online to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waco, Texas, www.sacredheartwaco.com.