Ismael "Smiley" Leiva

Ismael or “Smiley” as many of his loved ones called him was a hardworking man promoting community service for the youth basketball, Sunday school, YMCA, City League Little League from 1962-1972. On top of working many different jobs over the years, he was a business owner of a furniture store, tire shop, tortilla & tamales factory. But his favorite job was the 40 years he spent working as a truck driver.

Best known by his children and grandchildren as “Grandpa will Fix It”; Ismael was a humble and loving father, grandfather and great- grandfather who loved nothing more than his family, practicing his faith in Jesus, and being an avid pool player. He also enjoyed talking to people about his truck driving years, his loving wife and life adventures from a young kid who married at the age of 17, to his struggle to survive the West Side and so many more.

Ismael is survived by his loving children; daughter Sylvia Ann Leiva, son Ismael Leiva III (Diana), daughter Gina Gills (Ron), Son Michael Leiva, daughter Dina Yvonne Ramirez (Mike), daughter Stephanie Robin Lemanski (Jaime). In addition 11 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, his brother Moses Leiva, as well as numerous beloved relatives and friends all to cherish the memories they created with him.

Ismael was preceded in death by his loving wife Virginia, brother Jesse Leiva, sister Sylvia Leiva, sons Ismael Jr. & Jeremy Jason and grandson William Julius (BJ).

A visitation for Ismael will be held Tuesday December 8, 2020 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home, 6321 Bandera Road, San Antonio, TX 78238. And a funeral service will occur Wednesday, December 8, 2020 at 11:00 AM to conclude services.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SunsetNWFuneralHome.com for the Leiva family.