Well-known downtown restaurant manager dies

William Carvalho, who managed many prominent downtown Des Moines restaurants, died Tuesday.

The El Paso, Texas, native managed Proof restaurant for the past seven months and previously worked at Americana, Django, Raccoon River Brewing Co., Centro and Savery Hotel restaurants.

"Will's trademark was that he was great at customer service," said Christopher Diebel, who worked with Carvalho over the years. "He was an old school maitre d' and he made everyone feel like a star."

Carvalho was always a professional and handled his staff capably, said George Formaro, a Des Moines chef and business partner at Centro and other downtown restaurants.

"Few people would make you feel as special as Will would," Formaro said. "If you've dined in downtown Des Moines in the past seven or eight years you probably bumped into him. Customers adored the guy."

No information was available about the cause of death. He is survived by his wife, Jessica Carvalho. Services are pending with Hamilton's Funeral Home.