Hector G. Portela of San Antonio, Texas, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at the Audie Murphy Veterans Hospital. Born in 1934 in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico to Juan Portela Rivera and Esperanza Rodriguez he lived most of his life after active duty in San Antonio, Texas.
He is survived by his wife, Sonia, married sixty four years. Hector was extremely loving and proud of his children, Hector Jr., wife Nancy, Myrna Bullock, husband Rick, and Juan, wife Lucie along with his grandchildren Antonio, Jennieve and Eliana. Hector also leaves behind his brothers Dr. Ramon Portela, wife Lizzie, sister Hilda Lebron, husband Ruben, and Juan Portela Jr.,wife Mariela. Our Dad proudly served his country in the US Air Force from January 1952 to February 1978 and was a member of the Civil Engineer group. As Master Sergeant he distinguished himself by meritorious service as an Industrial Engineering Technician, Industrial Engineering and Maintenance Branch, 12th Civil Engineering Squadron, Randolph AFB. He received the AF Commendation Medal for his outstanding professional skill, dedication to duty, and positive management actions in the industrial engineering and structural fields contributed significantly to the improvement and efficient operation of his organization. An avid baseball fan, he enjoyed watching baseball and was a former baseball player in his younger years. Music was a big part of his life, he especially liked Salsa, Merenges, and Boleros but enjoyed everything from Jazz to Big Band sounds. Family and lots of friends made him the happiest of all. We will all miss him tremendously, especially his beautiful smile. A celebration of life service will be held at 6 p.m. Friday May 27, at the Sunset NW Funeral Home Chapel, 6321 Bandera Road, San Antonio, TX . Funeral procession will start Saturday May 28th at 9:30am from Sunset Northwest Funeral Home, 6321 Bandera Road San Antonio, TX, interment to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209. A special thank you to the men and women at Wilford Hall Radiation Unit, the Audie Murphy Veterans Affairs Hospital and Nurses for their loving care and support. Arrangements under the direction of SUNSET NORTHWEST FUNERAL HOME, San Antonio, TX.
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