He was born August 30, 1935, in Youngstown, Ohio, to the late Apolonio and Lilly (Ballard) Villa. After moving to Stockton at age six, he grew up in the area and graduated from Manteca High School in 1954. He attended San José State University before getting drafted into the Army in 1958. He served two years in the Army and four years in the reserves before being discharged in 1964.
Villa worked for the Defense Depot Tracy and Sharpe Army Depot for 31 years before retiring in 1993. He was a long time member of the Filipino American National Historic Society, and was instrumental with the establishment of the museum in Stockton. He was also a parishioner and volunteered at St. Luke’s Catholic Church. He was loved by all and will be remembered for his great smile and enthusiasm for life.
Villa was preceded in death by the love of his life Eleanor (Estante), his sister Rosita Guillermo, brother-in-law Sonny Estante, and foster brother Father Lorenzo “Larry” Palafox.
Survivors include his two sons – Derrick (Amy) of San Jose and Patrick (Meliza) of Las Vegas, his four granddaughters Grace, Isis, Cadence and Passion, his sisters-in-law Irene (Dentoy) Revillar and Constance Estante of Stockton, numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Friends and Family are invited to attend his viewing on Monday, June 1, 2020 from 12-4 p.m. at the De Young Memorial Chapel, 601 N. California Street. A burial service will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 12 p.m., at San Joaquin Catholic Cemetery.
Donations may be made to the Filipino American National Historic Society Museum at http://fanhsmuseum.com/membership.html or FANHS Stockton Chapter.
