Hector Jose Del Rio Castillon passed away peacefully on August 4, 2025, after a brief illness in San Antonio, TX. He was born on July 4, 1932, in Guerrero, Coahuila, Mexico to parents Celestino Del Rio Rodriguez and Irene Castillon Martinez.
In Guerrero, he met and married Amelia Rodriguez Perez and started a family. Due to the limited educational opportunities in Guerrero, he immigrated to the United States in the early 1960s, where he worked in California and Chicago. He eventually settled in Texas.
Regardless of the job he held, Hector was the ultimate professional with strong work ethic. In Guerrero, he worked as the secretary to the presidente municipal. He would hand write birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates and various other documents. Additionally, he helped people fill out applications for passports and visas to legally immigrate to the United States on a pro bono basis. He became known as “Secre,” a nickname that followed him throughout his life amongst residents of Guerrero. In Eagle Pass, Texas, he worked for over 20 years for a manufacturing company making blue jeans. He started as an operator and worked his way up to assistant to the comptroller. He was meticulous with every detail which earned him the respect of coworkers as well as management. As a sign of respect, he was called, “Don Hector” by coworkers, friends, and neighbors.
His favorite nickname was “Ubi,” given to him by his first grandchild, Oliver. The rest of his grandchildren followed suit. He referred to his children and grandchildren as his treasure.
Hector was the patriarch of the Del Rio Castillon family. His children, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws sought his advice and guidance. He was a man of faith, reflected in how he lived his life. He never turned anyone away who needed assistance in any form. He was the embodiment of a true gentleman: kind, considerate, honest, respectful, generous, trustworthy, courageous and of impeccable integrity. His legacy will be hard to equal.
Hector was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Amelia, daughter, Irasema D. Riojas, grandson, Dr. J. Oliver Riojas, his parents, Celestino and Irene Del Rio, siblings Cesar Del Rio, Relvi Del Rio, Celestino Del Rio and Cecilio Del Rio. He is survived by his children, Celestino Del Rio Rodriguez (Laura), Irene Del Rio Leal (Jesus), and Alicia Del Rio Traylor (John), son-in law Dr. Jose Riojas, Jr. (Irasema), grandchildren Hector Celestino Del Rio, Cristobal Riojas, Dr. David Riojas, Daniela Riojas, Dr. Elisa Leal, Hector A. Leal, Jesse A. Leal, Angela Traylor, and Isabella Traylor, great grandchildren Nadia I. Riojas, Cristobal Riojas, Castiel Riojas, Luke Riojas, and Sophia Riojas, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m., August 16, 2025, at Porter Loring Mortuary West, followed by a Rosary at 3:00 p.m.
