Ernesto "La Pee-wa" Villarreal

Ernesto “La Pee-wa” Villarreal, 82, of San Benito, TX, entered into rest on Saturday, December 19, 2020.  He was born in Harlingen, TX to Jose and Clarita Villarreal.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Jose and Clarita Villarreal; brothers, Jose, Carlos, Julian, Leandro, and Pablo Villarreal; and sisters, Aurora Aguilera and Leonor Cortez.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife of 63 years, Aurora Villarreal; sons, Ernesto (Nora) Villarreal, Jose (Keri) Villarreal, Elias (Irma) Villarreal; daughters, Estela (Juan) Rodriguez, Elisa Villarreal, Elma (Nestor) Villarreal; sister, Petra Maldonado; brother, Eliseo Villarreal; along with 15 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.

“La Pee-wa” worked at Cano’s Produce for 5 years, Villarreal’s Butane for 20 years, and the City of San Benito for 20 years.  One of his favorite sayings was, “If those don’t know “La Pee-wa”, they don’t know San Benito.”  He was a very loving and caring individual who knew how to treat people.  He was a man of respect and honesty and did everything he needed for his family and community.

We would like to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for all your prayers and kind words during this time of grief.

The Villarreal family will receive friends and relatives on Monday, December 21, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at San Benito Funeral Home.  A Prayer Service will begin at 7 o’clock on Monday evening.  A Graveside Service and Interment will take place on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at Mont Meta Memorial Park.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Ernesto Villarreal III, Juan Rodriguez, Jr., Luis Carlos Villarreal, Michael Anthony Villarreal, Jorge Luis Flores, Samantha Lee Villarreal, and Jose Villarreal, Jr.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to San Benito Funeral Home, 1400 W. Business 77, San Benito, Texas 78586. 956.291.4350 www.sanbenitofuneralhome.com

All guests must wear a facial covering and practice social distancing while visiting the funeral home.  Gifts of food are not being accepted at the funeral home at this time.