Willie R. Padilla Jr.

Willie R. Padilla Jr., passed away Saturday, September 6, 2014. He was born January 7, 1962 in El Paso, Texas. Willie is preceded in death by his parents W. Raul and Jesusita Padilla Sr. and his sister Bertha P. Alfaro. He is survived by his sisters: Irma P. Garcia and Olga Padilla; one brother: Fernie (Sonia) Padilla; and numerous nephews and nieces. We thank God for Blessing us with such an awesome brother. He graduated from Cathedral High School (class of 1980). Received an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 1992 from El Paso Community College and received two Bachelor’s degrees from New Mexico State University in 1996. Willie was an altar boy at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church until the age of 18. He taught catechisms and confirmation classes at different Catholic Church’s. Willie was assigned the task of advising couples in marriage counseling classes (to this he would say “…go figure that, me a single guy, what is God doing to me?”). He taught citizenship and English Classes at Sacred Heart Church. Willie belonged to the Knights of Columbus Cristo Rey Assembly Council 638, serving as a Faithful Navigator and then as a Grand Knight. He was a former board member of the following organizations and committees: Visiting Nurses Organization (VNA), Adult Protective Services (APS), City’s Organization for the Aging and Disable, Catholic Diocese of El Paso Financial Dept, and DRMS. He was a former member of the Serran Club, and numerous other organizations. Willie opened and directed several Adult Day Care Centers. His love for the elderly was unconditional. His passion for defending his “Viejitos” from any harm or abuse was immense. He would go out of his way to help a complete stranger, for Willie there was no difference whether you were white, black or brown, what race or creed they were; to him you were a human being and that was all he cared about. He was a Eucharist Minister, and was proud to protect others as an employee of Sun City Security Service. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 9:00 pm on Friday, September 12, 2014 at Hillcrest Funeral Home-Carolina with a Vigil Service at 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be at 12 noon on Saturday, September 13, 2014 at St. Patrick Cathedral. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park. Service under the direction of HILLCREST FUNERAL HOME 1060 Carolina 598-3332