Paul John Esparza

At age 19, Paul joined the US Army in January 1944 and by D-Day, June 6, 1944, he was in combat. He was a machine gunner during WWII. Later in the war, Paul was wounded in France and received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

After the war, he joined the Air Force 133rd Wing full time in Base Supply and served through the 1951 and 1961 unit activations.

In 1971, he was asked to start up a new squadron, 210th EIS as the Chief and remained there until August 1979 when he retired with 35 years of service as Chief Master Sergeant, the highest enlisted rank obtainable and had the honor of being the oldest retired member of the 133rd Airlift Wing.

Paul is survived by his loving wife, Irene, of 77 years; his children Paul A. (Pat) Esparza, Ron (Joan-deceased) Esparza, Denise (James) Clark, and Joe (Barbara) Esparza; 7 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; with another "bundle of joy" on the way!

A memorial service to honor Paul's life will be held at Wulff Funeral Home, 2195 Woodlane Dr in Woodbury, MN on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 11 am, with a visitation one hour prior. Inurnment will follow at Guardian Angels Catholic Church Cemetery in Oakdale, MN.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.