Born September 25, 1925 in Pilar, Abra, Philippines, his parents were Mariano Villanueva and Genoveva (Cabanting) Villanueva. Marc first came to the United States in 1946 to work at the sugar plantations of Hawaii. In 1950 he enlisted into the US Army where he proudly served over 22 years. Marc first came to El Paso, TX when he was assigned to the Air Artillery Hawk Missile group posted at Ft. Bliss. He retired after his assignment as 1st Sergeant to a battalion in Germany. He was a veteran of both the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. After leaving the US Army, Marc worked for Raytheon then left to pursue a college degree in Biomedical Technology. His second career was spent working for VA hospitals in Tucson, Dallas, and Houston, finally retiring from Civil Service at William Beaumont Army Medical Center. In 2002, Marc was called out of retirement to perform testing on new radar systems used in the Second Persian Gulf War.
Marc came from a large family. He was a loving father to his four children, rearing them in the Protestant faith. And he was a highly respected uncle to his many nieces and nephews. He played violin, guitar and ukulele, sharing his love for music with his children and grandchildren. Though he was a quiet man, it didn’t take much to persuade him to perform a song or two. Marc loved the outdoors and spent much of his leisure time gardening and raising farm animals with his wife. He raised pigs and goats and also enjoyed his two horses, Squaw and Chief. Marc loved to fish but he wasn’t able to get a good catch in the desert. He was a founding member of the Filipino American Association of El Paso and a member of the Korean War Veterans Association.
Marc is survived by second wife Lydia Salas Villanueva. He is also survived by his four children by deceased wife Erlinda (Ely) Penaflor Villanueva: Jane (James) Philips, Judy (Michael) Lim, Marcelino Villanueva, Jr., and Michael Villanueva (Kimberly); four grandchildren: Sara, J. Colin, Makenna, and Ryan; two great-granddaughters, Emerson and Amari; sisters Pat, Sally, Belen, and brother Ranie. He is predeceased by his parents, two brothers, one sister and daughter-in-law, Maria Ott Villanueva.
A private family burial service for the family will be held at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery.
Due to current Covid-related concerns on travel and social gathering, a Memorial service will be held at a future time to be announced.
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