Armando C. Villarreal

Sergeant Major Armando Carrillo Villarreal passed away at his home in Killeen, TX on Saturday morning January 28th. Armando was born on January 9th, 1930 in Nuevo Laredo, Taumalipas, Mexico to Mr Pablo Villarreal and Cruz (Carrillo) Villarreal. He graduated from Bernardino Del Rosa School of Commerce Nuevo Laredo in 1946 with a degree in Accounting. In 1949 he began his 30+ years career in the Army. It was his life and love and he served proudly and with integrity until retiring in 1980. During that time he served a year in Korea and 2 years in Vietnam. He also earned many medals, commendations and badges along the way including Korean Service Medal; United Nations Service Medal; Parachutist Badge; National Defense Service Medal w/1st Oak Leaf Cluster; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea); Vietnam Service Medal w/ 3 Bronze Service Stars; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Bronze Star Medal w/1st Oak Leaf Cluster; Armed Forces Honor Medal 2d Class; Meritorious Unit Commendation w/2d Oak Leaf Cluster; Civil Actions Medal 1st Class w/1st Oak Leaf Cluster; Army Commendation Medal w/2d Oak Leaf Cluster; German Parachutist Badge; Good Conduct Medal Clasp; Silver 4 Loops; Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/Palm; Meritorious Service Medal w/1st Oak Leaf Cluster; Expert (Pistol); Marksman (Rifle). Upon retirement he worked for a year in Ankara, Turkey under a civil service contract. He then worked in the financing department of Scott & White Hospital while attending the University of Central Texas whereupon he received his Master's Degree in Criminal Justice in 1989. He began working at the Gatesville Institutional Parole Office and worked there until February of 1999 when he decided to retire for good. He didn't stop life there, he jogged and exercised daily, running marathons as often as possible, he was an avid reader and continued to soak up knowledge until he was diagnosed with dementia prior to his death. He is survived by his wife of almost 65 years Ilse Helene (Groh) Villarreal who he locked eyes with on a dance floor in a small town in Germany in 1958; by his children; Sindey Brown of Austin, Armando Villarreal of Killeen, Marjorie Villarreal of Pflugerville and Marco Villarreal and his wife Shawna Villarreal of Temple; his grandchildren Sean Villarreal of Killeen and Toni Harclerode of Houston; many nieces and nephews in Laredo, Tx and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. He is preceded in death by his parents Pablo Villarreal of Nuevo Laredo, Cruz (Carrillo) Villarreal of Cerralvo Nuevo Leon and step mother Rita J Villarreal of Nuevo Laredo; by his sister Alicia (Villarreal) Guajardo and brother Pablo Villarreal. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM-12:00PM on Tuesday, February 14 at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home Funeral Services will be held at noon at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home Burial with full military honors will follow at 2:00 PM at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crawfordbowersfuneralhome.com for the Villarreal family.