Willibrord T. Silva

Born to Manuel and Margaret Silva, Willibrord (Willie) had two older sisters, Eloise and Edna. Being born and raised in Hawaii, Willie carried on and shared the Hawaiian Aloha Spirit wherever he went and with whomever he met. His sense of humor and willingness to enthusiastically discuss any topic brought smiles to those he engaged.

An athlete and sports fanatic, Willie also excelled scholastically, first at St. Louis School and then at the University of Hawaii (UH) where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. He later earned his Master of Science in Human Factors Engineering and Ph.D. in Psychology at Purdue University.

Willie was Commander in Chief of the UH Air Force ROTC which led to becoming an officer and pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Willie flew over 250 combat missions in Vietnam as a Forward Air Controller Pilot and Squadron Aircraft Commander, flying an O-1 aircraft which were small, unarmed propeller reconnaissance planes. His missions often put him in dangerous conditions as he contributed to the military offense or the insertion or evacuation of ground forces. His courageous and stellar efforts during his Air Force career earned him numerous prestigious awards with some being awarded multiple times as denoted by oak leaf clusters. The awards he earned were the Silver Star for gallantry in Action, the Distinguished Flying Cross with two bronze oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with oak leaf three silver and two bronze leaf clusters, Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm, AF Outstanding Unit Award with one bronze oak leaf cluster, AF Commendation Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, and Meritorious Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster.

With more than 25 years of distinguished military service, Willie retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and Chief of the Military Personnel Center’s Research and Measurement Division, at Randolph AFB, Texas.

After the military, Willie embraced his enthusiasm for education and teaching by becoming a Professor of Psychology at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. Along with his 20+ years of teaching duties, he served as the Psychology Department Chairman and graduate student advisor during his tenure and was awarded the Distinguished Faculty Award.

It was at UH that Willie met the love of his life, Patricia (Pat), who was his greatest passion. Married just shy of 65 years, their enduring love and caring relationship has been inspiring to all who know them. Pat and Willie shared a love of family, friends and traveling. They have such fond memories of their travels from their AF assignments which included 8 moves to 6 states to their personal travels via road trips, plane trips and sea cruises with family and friends.

Their family life brought Willie and Pat their greatest joy, starting with raising their four children Paul, Heidi, Michelle, and Kristy. Willie made sure to share meaningful time with them including boating, fishing, coaching, cheering on their sports teams and cheerleading squads, church and Hawaii Club events, and family summer vacations. He’s with us every day as we live the values he imparted – family is everything and not determined by blood; hard work matters; never give up; everyone deserves kindness and respect; faith is important; and education is a lifelong journey.

A grandfather to six grandchildren and two great grandchildren, Willie was devoted to spending time with them and to being a positive influence in their lives. In remembering their sweet "Grandpa," the grandchildren expressed how thankful they were to have such an incredible man as a grandfather. A man who led by example and lived by his values, supporting his grandchildren by being constantly present in their lives.

Willie is survived by his wife Patricia, his son Paul and wife Melana, his daughter Heidi, his daughter Michelle and husband Scott Walker, his son-in-law Lowell Kercheville, his niece Debra Tubbs and family, his nephew Stephen Teves and his wife Melissa and family, and his grandchildren Tori Kercheville, Kelsey Bennett and husband Christopher, Allison Edwards and husband Lachlan, Kyle Walker and fiancé Lindsey Welch, Seth Kercheville, Jarod Silva, and his great grandchildren Kinsley Kercheville and Leo Edwards. Willie is preceded in death by his parents, Manual and Margaret Silva, his sisters Eloise Teves and husband Ray and Edna Vasconcellos and husband Manny, and beloved daughter Kristy Kercheville.

A rosary in honor of Willie will be held Thursday June 8, 2023, at 7 pm, at St Mark’s the Evangelist Catholic Church Day Chapel, 1602 Thousand Oaks Drive, San Antonio, TX 78232. All who knew Willie are invited to attend.

Willie will be cremated and interned at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209. A full military honor service will be conducted on June 9, 2023, at 10:45 am at Shelter #4, where all are also invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the scholarship honoring Willie at his alma mater, St. Louis School.

For Online Donations: Go to "https://www.saintlouishawaii.org/donate.jsp". At the Designation drop down menu select "Scholarships" and type in "Willibrord T. Silva Scholarship" in the "Leave a Comment box".

For Check Donations: Make payable to "St. Louis School" and write "Willibrord T. Silva Scholarship" on Memo line. Mail to Saint Louis School, 3142 Waialae Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816.

For Questions Pertaining to Donations: Please email [email protected] or phone (808)739-4769.

Mahalo!

“Aloha nui ‘oe, Willie”