Martiniano Villarreal

Our beloved father, Martiniano Villarreal was born in the small town of Nava, Coahuila, Mexico on February 27, 1929 and died in Houston, Tx on January 30, 2021. He was preceded in death by our beloved mother, Amelia F. Villarreal (+ died June 28, 2013) and survived by his five children(spouses): Ricardo (Thelma) Villarreal, Maricela (Rich) Barras, Graciela (Frank) Cardenas, Amelia (Jose) Rivas, Elva V. Rojas; his twelve grandchildren (spouses): Michael John (Tracy) Sanchez, Joseph Anthony (Izzy) Sanchez, Olivia Mireya Rojas, Francisca Alicia Cardenas, Monica Aida Rivas (Marlon) Bishop, Anjelica Isabel Rivas, Gabriel Jose Rivas, Erika Renee Cardenas, Ricardo Mario Villarreal, Michael Ray Torres, Marissa Guajardo, Timothy Guajardo; and six great-grandchildren: Luke Aiden Lopez, John Michael Sanchez II, Reagan Grace Sanchez, Natalia Alicia Mata, Joseph Ronnie Mata, Josiah Ildes Roman.

How does one capture the essence of a father that sacrificed so much, not only to build a new life in another land, but to build a solid foundation for a young wife and his five children? Our father was a simple man. An honest man. He was brave. He was courageous. He didn’t have the opportunity of having a formal education, however, being educated was very important to him. He had a love of learning, and was self-taught in math and finance, history and science, politics and the English language. We could sit and watch documentaries all day. He was one of the smartest men we knew. He understood the value of a dollar and fought hard to teach his children and grandchildren the lifelong lesson of saving and living beneath your means. He taught by example, and as such was the best father we could have ever asked for. He loved our mother. This cannot be stressed enough. He LOVED our mother. He provided the absolute BEST example of a husband and father, and for that we will forever be changed and grateful.

Time took away some simple pleasures from him in the last several years, but he still loved having a good time with family. Loved being outdoors, and enjoyed a good tune to dance.

He was a wonderful example of a man, father, brother, uncle, husband and grandfather.

He leaves a deep crevasse that can never be filled. He will be terribly missed.

Private services will be held February 25, 2021

We appreciate all the heartfelt calls, messages, and prayers. Our family will plan a celebration of our father’s life at a later date.