Alfonso Victor Villa

Alfonso Victor Villa, 97, passed away February 13, 2019 at his home in Longmont.He was born December 23, 1921 in Frederick, Colorado to Sebastian and Maria (Martinez) Villa.Alfonso was inducted into the United States Army on March 17, 1943. After completing training as a combat engineer, Alfonso shipped out to North Africa where he spent time guarding prisoners and equipment at Algiers and Casablanca. He then traveled to England where he took underwater demolitions training and prepared for the invasion of Normandy. Serving with the 237th Combat Engineers Battalion, Al was in one of the first waves to hit Omaha Beach on D-Day. His duty was to move forward as quickly as possible to remove obstacles for the rest of the infantry. When the 237th had advanced to Carentan, France, Al was hit by shrapnel from a mortar. Having sustained wounds to the eye and ear he was evacuated back to Southampton, England where he received a purple heart from General Omar Bradley. After recovering in the hospital, he returned to the front lines, and was assigned to the 554th Heavy Pontoon Bridging outfit. He would remain with the 554th through the Battle of the Bulge and all the way to just outside Berlin when the war ended. Private First-Class Alfonso V. Villa was honorably discharged on September 13, 1945. He is a true American hero.In 1946 he married the love of his life, Connie Barajas in Frederick.Alfonso was a member of Laborers International Union Local 720. During his working career he worked for the US Post Office, the US Mint in Denver, the Union Pacific Railroad and Western Paving. His early years prior to serving in the Army Alfonso was a coal miner.He was a member of the Military Order Purple Heart Chapter 434 in Northern Colorado, DAV Chapter 16, Battle of the Bulge Association and the Greatest Generation Foundation. He was also a member at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church. Alfonso enjoyed cars, trucks and Ford Broncos; the Denver Broncos and he loved to cook. His family was very important to him. Alfonso wanted to make a difference in the world, to leave it a better place for future generations. He loved to tell his WWII stories to anyone who would listen and mostly to his grandson Poncho. He liked tools, organic fresh vegetables, watches and his cedar chest. The Book of Psalms was his favorite book in the Bible. Alfonso annually attended the Coal Miner's parade in Frederick and the Veteran's Day parade in Longmont.He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Connie and three sons Alfonso Eulalio Villa, Jr., Patrick Richard Villa and Joseph Eugene Villa, two brothers J Villa and Vincent Villa and three sisters Corrine Medina, Marge Flores and Mary Labout.Alfonso is survived by eight children Lorretta M. Villa, Victor S. Villa, Ray Paul Villa, Tomasita Villa, Mary Villa, Greg Villa, Terry John Villa and Connie Lee Villa; 34 grandchildren, 61 great grandchildren, God child Shannon V. Villa and one sister Frances Villa.Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:30 pm, with Rosary Prayers at 6:00pm, on Monday February 18, 2019 at the Ahlberg Funeral Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am Tuesday February 19, 2019 at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church. Interment at Foothills Gardens of Memory. Share condolences at www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com.