Jose Luis Villarreal

José Luis Villarreal Montemayor, age 82, died peacefully on March 3, 2023 at home surrounded by his family. He was born November 24, 1941 to Maria Angelina Montemayor and Luis Villarreal in Gral. Zuazua, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. He married Alice Peña on February 6, 1965 and they were married until her death in 2002. They had two daughters, Anna Marie (who preceded him in death in 2012) and Sonya Elisabeth Villarreal of McDade, TX. He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Maria Olga, step-son Javier and daughters Petra Angela and Maria Luisa. He is also survived by his siblings; Gerardo Javier, Maria Elena, Teresa de Jesus, Jorge Alberto, Jesus Maria, Eleno Cruz, Rosalinda and Francisco Jaime (Paco). He was blessed with 12 grandchildren ( Bradley Luis, Leslie Belen, Stephen Alexander, Alannah Elisabeth, Francisco Javier Jr., Amara Giselle, Ramon Antonio, Ken, Shania, DeAndre) and 12 great-grandchildren.

As the eldest child in his family, he learned to farm from his father. He worked the family farm until he emigrated to the United States in 1964 and learned the carpentry trade from his uncle. Following the death of his father in 1976, he worked to support his mother and 8 siblings until her death in 1995. José Luis worked and would eventually retire from Acme Brick Co. in 2004. His vast carpentry skills and experience made him highly sought after throughout his life and up to the time of his death.

José Luis was a teller of stories. He was known for his incredible sense of humor and his ability to hold the attention of a crowd, no matter where he was. People, young and old, would flock to listen to him joke and tell stories, even when they’d heard those same stories hundreds of times. He had a way of making them new and even more entertaining each time he told them. In his later years, his favorite past time was gathering with family and friends, while listening to music and keeping everyone in laughter. He spent his latter years living and traveling between his homes in Mexico and Texas, spending as much time as he could with his family. He was loved and respected by all who knew him, for his generous spirit and charismatic personality. You will be forever missed, Pápi.

A Holy Mass will be held on Friday March 10, 2023 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church (parish hall) at 302 W. 11 ^th St. in Elgin, TX at 10:00 a.m.