We have years of experience caring for families from all walks of life, cultures and faiths. Our unsurpassed staff and our family provide kind, caring, professional service. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession who are dedicated to excellence in service, adhere to the highest funeral industry standards, and have exceptional integrity. We consistently earn phenomenally high customer satisfaction survey results.
Our licensed, professional staff is here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please call 510-232-4383 anytime. We will even come to you to make arrangements in the comfort of your home.
Prompt, compassionate service is always just a phone call away, where and when you need it.
Managing Partner/Funeral Director/Embalmer
Joe was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. After serving his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, he was honorably discharged in 1972 and moved to California. He started working with Wells Fargo Bank while attending Laney College to obtain his AA in Management & Supervision, graduating in 1979. He continued his career with Wells Fargo Bank for 23 years in Management. In 1993, he decided to switch his career path and began attending the San Francisco School of Mortuary Science and graduated in 1994 with his AA degree. He has been with Wilson & Kratzer Mortuaries since 1993 and now holds the position of Managing Partner/Funeral Director/Embalmer.
Joe has been married for 24 years. He and his wife, Anita, raised their four children in the Richmond/El Sobrante area and plan on retiring someday back in Florida. In the meantime, Joe takes great pride in serving the community where he has become well-known as "the man to see”, at Wilson & Kratzer Mortuary.
Operations Manager/Funeral Arranger/Notary Public
Celina Hernandez,
has worked in the funeral industry for more than 22 years as of 2020. She began
working with Wilson & Kratzer in 1997, where she remained for 13 years
until transferring to Greer Family Mortuary in Alameda where she became the
Office Manager and worked for six years prior to her return to Wilson &
Kratzer in 2017.
Celina was born, raised and has lived in the Bay Area her
entire life. She attended schools in the San Pablo and Richmond areas and now
resides with her own family in Pinole. Celina prides herself on helping the
diverse community from which she comes from and believes no two funerals or
services should be the same. Early in her career, she was nominated, and
received the award for “Funeral Service Person of the Year” (2004) from the
California Funeral Directors Association. She is currently Operations Manager,
Funeral Arranger and a Notary Public for the Civic Center Chapel location.
When Celina is not at work, she is busy with her family of
five. Investing time with those she loves and holds dearest to her heart.
Funeral Director
Oshmin is returning to Wilson & Kratzer after working in the mental health industry for the past seven years. He was raised in Oakland, CA, and has family who are longtime residents of Richmond, CA. Oshmin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies from Patten University in Oakland, CA, where he graduated in 2004. He is currently working towards a Master of Social Work through the Virtual Academic Center at the University of Southern California. Oshmin is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., where he was initiated through the Theta Pi chapter in Vallejo, CA.
Oshmin is also a professional bassist and has toured and performed both locally and nationally. Oshmin lives in the Greater Sacramento Valley Area with his wife of 11 years and their 5 children.
Funeral Director
Julius Van Hook was raised in Richmond, California, where he completed his formal education, graduating from El Cerrito High School. He went on to earn a Bachelors Degree in Organizational and Business Management, with a minor in Biblical Studies from Patten University in Oakland, California, and a Master of Education Degree from Concordia University, Portland, Oregon. In the Spring of 2017, Mr. Van Hook will receive his Doctorate of Ministry from United Theological Seminary. Prior to returning to his career in Funeral Service, he worked as an Educator and Student Affairs Professional. He is also a proud, duly initiated member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
Julius has been with Wilson & Kratzer since the beginning of 2016 and is a great asset to our team here.
Embalmer
Ryan has been with the Wilson & Kratzer Mortuaries since 2010. He is a very valued employee and has a passion for helping our community. He is a graduate of American River College in Sacramento and a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer.
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Jordan has been an employee with Wilson & Kratzer Mortuaries since March of 2014. She is currently working as an embalmer where she assists in many capacities. In 2018 she graduated from American River College in Sacramento with an Associates of Science degree. She is a true joy and has proven to be someone we can all rely on.
Administrative Assistant
Administrative Assistant
Ambassador /Funeral Assistant
In 1979, Joel began working as a Life Insurance Agent and is currently a Sales Manager for United Insurance Company of America.
Joel started working for Wilson & Kratzer Mortuaries in January of 2007 as an Ambassador/Funeral Assistant and plans to continue working for Wilson & Kratzer long after retiring from the Insurance field.
Joel was born in Tallulah, Louisiana, and moved to Oakland, California in 1955. He is a graduate of Castlemont High (class of 1967) and Merritt Jr. College (class of 1970). He also spent one year at the University of California, Berkeley.
Ambassador /Funeral Assistant
Marcia, a wife, mother of three and grandmother of six, entered the work force in 1981. Her work experience includes management in retail, food service and hotel. She is also an Independent Beauty Consultant for Mary Kay Cosmetics.
After losing her grandson, daughter and mother and surviving cancer, she felt she had the capacity to work in the mortuary service field at Wilson & Kratzer. In her spare time, she enjoys ballroom dancing, traveling and social event coordinating.
Marcia, a resident of San Pablo, California, grew up in the nation's capitol of Washington, D.C. and moved to California in 1969.
Ambassador/Funeral Assistant
Ambassador
After graduating from Mortuary College in 2006, Akim served her internship at Wilson & Kratzer’s Connelly and Taylor Chapel and served her apprenticeship at Wilson & Kratzer’s Civic Center Chapel.
Akim said, “I love to serve and help the community. Customer satisfaction is what motivates me to strive to be the best. I am proud to be part of a great team of co-workers and under the leadership of great management, where we all work hard to please the families we serve."
Ambassador
Valerine has been at Wilson & Kratzer Mortuaries since April 2014. She is a true joy to have as an employee and is a very kind and generous person. Valerine currently serves our company as an ambassador for our Mission Bells Chapel where she assists with services and visitations.
You are welcome to call us any time of the day, any day of the week, for immediate assistance. Or, visit our funeral home in person at your convenience.