Henry Villierme was born in 1928, the son of Louis Henry and Emilia Villierme. Henry and his two younger brothers were born in San Francisco. Shortly after Emilia passed, the three boys moved to Tahiti and were raised by their aunt. The three brothers moved back to the Bay Area when Henry was in middle school. One of his lasting memories was when the boys returned to San Francisco on a steam ship and saw the Golden Gate Bridge and the lights of San Francisco.
Henry served his country with honor during the Korean War as a medic on the front line and was awarded the Bronze Star by the United States Army in 1951.
Henry moved to Oakland, CA and attended the California College of Arts & Crafts where he met his classmate, Barbara Albers in 1953. They married a year later and were a devoted couple of 58 years. In their time in Oakland, Henry and Barbara owned and operated an ice cream parlor called “Farrin Frosty.” In the late '50s, they moved to Hermosa Beach and never left Southern California. In 1973, they bought their home in Ojai where they raised their children, Frank, Julianne, Paul and Claudia as well as a number of cats and dogs. Henry worked as a painter at The Thatcher School until he retired at the age of 70. He loved the campus and the energy of the school.
Most people who knew Henry called him “Hank.” He loved his wife and his family. He found happiness in the garden and worked at being a better painter in his studio. Hank treated others with respect, even in his failing health he would never lift his fork until everyone at the table was served. He spoke French since his days in Tahiti and was a charming and humble man.
Henry Villierme passed on March 13, 2013 and is dearly missed.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura.
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