Raul (Rudy) Villarreal Sr., age 83, died Friday, August 23, 2019, with his family by his side in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rudy was born November 30, 1935, in Runge, Texas to Santiago and Manuela Leal Villarreal.
Rudy spent his youth living in Texas and several different towns as his family traveled to where work was available. At an early age of 7, Rudy helped support his family by working as a shoe shiner. At the age of 18 Rudy moved to the state of Nevada. He worked over 4 years as a laborer for the Union Pacific Railroad. On April 23, 1960, he married Felicita Mora in Overton, Nevada.
In 1962, Rudy was encouraged by his older brother, Jacinto Villarreal, to join the Laborers Union in Las Vegas, Nevada. He worked as a construction laborer for over 4 years before joining the Cement Masons Union. In 1968, Rudy became a cement mason apprentice and worked for over 25 years. Rudy and Felicita made Las Vegas, Nevada their home for more than 57 years.
Rudy is survived by his wife of 59 years, Felicita and three sons and three daughters: Carmen Geraci (Sal), Raul Jr. of Las Vegas, NV, Dianna V. Garcia (John) of Overton, NV, Robert (Gerette), of Las Vegas, NV, Rolando (LeAnne) of Wilsonville, Oregon, Mona Lisa Carrillo (Juan) of Las Vegas, NV, 20 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren and one sister, Elida V. Cortez (Moises) of Cedar City, UT.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Rudy’s honor Friday, August 30, 2019 at 12 Noon at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. Visitation will be Thursday, August 29, 2019, from 4 – 8 PM with a Rosary at 7:30 PM at the Palm Northwest Mortuary. A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held on Friday, August 30, 2019, at 3:30 PM at The Vistas Community Center, 11312 Parkside Way, Las Vegas, 89138.
