Rafael Villarreal

Major Rafael Villarreal

February 18, 1933 – August 8, 2026

Major Rafael Villarreal, affectionately known as Ralph, was born on February 18, 1933, in Mercedes, Texas, to Josephina Ruiz Villarreal and Victor Sepeda Villarreal. Ralph was the eldest of eleven siblings. For him, opportunities were few, and responsibility came early. Having lost their father when he was still a teenager, Ralph went to work to support the family. It was during this time that he developed the character traits that would become the hallmarks of his life – determination, hard work, and ambition.

Ambition to succeed came early for him. He lied about his age and enlisted in the Army at seventeen, a decision that would change the course of his life. An officer recognized his potential and put him on a path that would lead him to earn an engineering degree from the University of Texas at Austin and an officer's commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. During his college years in Austin, he met and married the love of his life, Maria Luisa Cantu from La Feria, Texas. In 1959, Rafael and Maria were married and began a marriage that would last nearly sixty-seven years and take them around the world. They would have three energetic children – Celeste, Javier, and Belinda - each born at a different Air Force base. They were a proud military family who created lifelong memories through their travels to Japan, the Philippines, and several states across the United States, embracing the many places and experiences that came with a life of military service.

Ralph’s military career as an Air Force Navigator would take him around the world to Europe, China, Korea, Japan, and the Philippines. He served a tour of duty in the Vietnam War at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Saigon and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service.

Ralph rose to the rank of Major and retired from the Air Force in1975 after a distinguished twenty-year career. He then earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He began a second career as a businessman working for General Telephone & Electronics Co. in San Angelo, Texas, and later in Grapevine, Texas.

Ralph retired from GTE in 1991 and began serving as a mentor and role model to organizations that helped educate others. Ralph never forgot how he struggled in his early years, and he did his best to give back through the Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, church groups, and serving as a mentor to high school students in Grapevine, Texas. He also served as an assistant scoutmaster and merit badge counselor in his son’s Boy Scout troop.

Ralph was well known as an avid golfer. It was through golf that he brought together his love of the game with his appreciation for friendship, fellowship, and community. He was always proud to talk about his record of 13 holes-in-one. He was a longtime member of the Pan-American Golf Association, the largest Hispanic golf organization in the United States. He was inducted into the National PAGA Hall of Fame in 2005 in recognition of his efforts in raising funds for charities, community service, scholarships, civic projects, and veteran recognition. More recently, he thoroughly enjoyed spending time volunteering at the Army Residence Community Healthcare Center.

Ralph found a home in the Army Residence Community (ARC), where he resided. He was an active member of the ARC’s 11th Hour Committee, which supports families at their loved ones' bedsides during their final hours, providing comfort and respite.

Ralph passed away on August 8, 2026, at the age of ninety-three in San Antonio, Texas. He lost his battle with cancer but was reunited with his beloved daughters, Belinda and Celeste, and his mother, Josefina. As sad as we are to lose him, a certain peace and calmness comes from knowing that he is with his loved ones who have passed before him.

Rafael is survived by his wife of sixty-six years, Maria Luisa; his son Rafael Javier and wife Julie Villarreal; grandchildren Benjamin Rafael Nelson, Theodore Marten Villarreal, and Madeline Grace Villarreal; siblings Carmen Flores, Rosa Sanchez, Richard Villarreal, Roy Villarreal; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Services and Remembrance

Visitation will be held on Monday, August 17, 2026, from 9:00am to 10:00am., at Colonial Funeral Home, 625 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City, TX 78148 with a Sharing of Reflections & Remembrances from 10:00am to 10:30am.

Immediately following, a Funeral Procession will proceed to St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 6680 Crestway Drive, San Antonio, TX 78239, where a Rosary will be recited at 11:00am., with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow.

A Reception will be held from 12:45pm to 2:30pm., at Army Residence Community, 7400 Crestway Road, San Antonio, TX 78239.

The day will conclude with a Memorial Service with Full Military Honors from 3:00pm – 3:20pm at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Shelter #1, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, TX 78209.