OBITUARY
Raul Gabriel Villaronga
April 1, 1938 – March 20, 2021
Raul G. Villaronga was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on April 1, 1938. He attended Texas A&M and graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering, receiving a commission as 2LT in the US Army. Villaronga served in the 7th Special Forces Group in Fort Bragg, NC, and was a member of the original 8th Special Forces Group in the Panama Canal Zone, where he was promoted to Captain. He served 9 months as Commander, Co B 1/8 Cav (Airborne). Villaronga received his Regular Army commission as Major while assigned to the US Army Quartermaster School as an instructor. Assigned to the Saigon Support Command during his second tour in Vietnam, he served as Executive Office of the 266th Supply and Service Battalion. Upon return from Vietnam, he attended Texas Tech University and received his Master of Industrial Engineering. Subsequently, assigned to Defense Depot Mechanicsburg, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and selected for command in Germany, where he commanded the 66th Maintenance Battalion (DS/G5). After his return from overseas, Villaronga was assigned to the Logistics Evaluation Agency, a Department of the Army Field Agency at New Cumberland Army Depot, where he was Director of the Integrated Logistics System Branch. Where there he was promoted to Colonel. Assigned to Fort Hood Texas as Deputy Commander, 13th COSCOM, he served until his transfer to TCATA in West Fort Hood as Director of Instrumentation. His last assignment was directing the Army’s Study of Palletized Loading System, which resulted in the Army’s adaptation of this tactical transportation system. Upon retirement, he spent time serving in the Killeen City Council. In 1992, he was elected Mayor of Killeen, where he became the first native born Puerto Rican to serve as mayor of a Texas city. After serving three consecutive terms, he was then appointed as Associate Municipal Judge in the Killeen Municipal Court, where he served as Juvenile Court Judge until he retired in 2002. His military awards include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Valor device and 3 Oak Leaf clusters, Distinguished Service Medal, Air Medal, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Silver Star for Gallantry, Combat Infantryman’s Badge and Master Parachutist Badge. He served as Chairman Emeritus of the Greater Killeen Area’s Promise (America’s Promise), Chairman of the Killeen League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council 4535, Board of Directors of the Killeen Crime Stoppers, Founder of the Central Texas Area Veterans Advisory Committee and was past member of the Board of Directors of the Killeen Volunteers Inc and the Killeen Volunteer Corps. Memberships include a Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) 9191, Commander and Life Member of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) 29, Commander of DAV District III, American Legion Post 223, Societe 40&8, Voitre Locale 1031, Knights of Columbus (4th Degree), Military Affairs Committee for Killeen Chamber of Commerce and Past Director of Youth Programs, Exchange Club of Killeen. Villaronga was preceded in death by his father Raul Gil Villaronga Pasarell, his mother Maria Monserrate Martinez Perez, his sister Magdalena Villaronga and his nephew, Ramon Thaddeus Quesada. He is survived by his wife, Julia, his sister Margarita Villaronga Mejias, his sons Raul and his wife Robin, Rafael and his wife Marie, and Robert, nieces Cristi Quesada, Justine Smith, Alexandra Hildebrandt and nephews William Bush and Richard Sturtz. Also survived by his grandchildren Rafael Lee Villaronga, Christopher Raul Villaronga, Victoria Stewart and Oleata Mason, and numerous great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, March 26, at the Killeen Convention Center in Killeen, TX, from at 5pm. His burial with full Military Honors will be at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery on Thursday, April 1 at 11am.
Services
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Visitation
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
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Recitation of Rosary
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
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Funeral Mass
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
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A Celebration of Life Service
Friday, March 26, 2021
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Internment
Thursday, April 1, 2021
Memories
Raul Gabriel Villaronga
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYNancy Velez
March 28, 2021
On behalf of my father, Eddie Velez, who was best friends with Raul, and my children, our heartfelt condolences go out to the family.
Rob and I will always share a very unique and special bond. My dad was l
his Godfather, and his dad was mine.
I am so sad that Judge has passed away. I miss him so much.
Bendiciones,
Nancy Velez
Eddie Velez (my father)
Sophia, Alyssa and Carlos Martinez (my children)
Alexandre Cardoso
March 28, 2021
Dear friends,
Unfortunately, I've had very little contact with Colonel Villaronga. I am writing a book about the Brazilian Jungle Warfare Center, and Colonel Villaronga, very kindly, was helping me in my research on the subject. In 1964 he participated in the training of the Brazilian officers who founded that school .
I would like to show my sorrow and solidarity to his friends and his family and thank you all for the opportunity to speak with such a great man. Thank you very much Colonel Villaronga! SELVA!!!
Alexandre Cardoso (from Brazil)
Carmen Rosario Prieto
March 26, 2021
Margie so sorry for your lost. My condolences to his wife and childrens .
Wally and aBunnie Montgomery
March 24, 2021
Dear Julia,
Our memories of you and Raul span many years - ever since New Cumberland, PA in 1980! We shared OWC activities, and you introduced me to beef brisket for the first time! Who knew then that we would all be at Ft Hood together, and we’ve probably eaten a lot of brisket since then!
Please know that we hold you close to our hearts in your time of sorrow and loss! You both have changed lives in Central Texas, and Raul’s legacy lives on in you and your sons! You are loved and honored, and we are better citizens and people because you touched our lives!
Licy Tomasini
March 24, 2021
My heart arches. Raúl was my cousin and my friend when we were young. Mémories of him will be treasured..My deep est sympathy to Julia ., Margie and all his family. Vuela alto Raulito.
Mary Green
March 24, 2021
It was a pleasure to serve with Judge Villaronga during my time as the Killeen City Marshal. He was always so kind to me and my family. He truly cared about the employees of the court as well as the defendants that came before him. He was a true Aggie and patriot. May you Rest In Peace Judge. Love to Julia and family who meant the world to him. Love Mary Green
Marisol Corbett
March 23, 2021
Mrs. Julia our deepest condolences. Prayers for you and the family. He will be deeply missed.
Teresa Renner
March 23, 2021
Miss Julia and family:
We may not have known Mr. Roy for very long, but our hearts are broken for you. We got to see him 2 hours every week and that time we spent with him was cherished. He always managed to bring a smile to our faces, even if he wasn't feeling well.
Miss Julia, he was a fighter. He was loved by everyone around him. May you be comforted in the knowledge that he was able to touch so many lives whether it was for months or years. I know he touched my life greater than you or he thought.
Él está con los ángeles ahora y para siempre.
-Teresa Renner-
Rosa L Hernandez
March 22, 2021
Dear Julia & Family:
I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers of Comfort. May he rest in peace.
Janett Romo
March 22, 2021
Very nice man. My condolences Julia and family
Luis Blay
March 22, 2021
Julia and family: We'll remember Raul as part of our family forever. We lost my wife Encarnita last Monday making two enormous losses for us in such short period of time. My prayers are with you and your family. May God Bless you.
Luis
Phyllis Bishop
March 22, 2021
Julia and family, we will miss Roy so much. So many good memories with him. Our prayers are with each of you. Bob and Phyllis Bishop