Mr Ponciano Villarreal
July 18, 1922 — February 20, 2017
Ponciano Villarreal, 94 of Los Fresnos, Texas peacefully went to be with the Lord on Monday, February 20, 2017 after a long illness. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather. Mr. Villarreal was employed at Civilian Conservation Corps, Valley Ready Mix Concrete, and U.S. Postal Service and was a U.S. Army-WWII Veteran (European Theatre). He was part of the Red Ball Express during WWII and drove a tank truck 10 miles behind the front line to deliver fuel to the troops. The safe roads to drive on were labeled with a red ball, hence, the Red Ball Express. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign-Silver Service Star, Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII, and the World War II Victory Medal.
Mr. Villarreal is preceded in death by his father, Juan Villarreal; mother, Tomasa G. Villarreal; sisters, Viviana (Veva) Gonzalez and Guadalupe (Lupe) Thomas; and brothers, Ruben Villarreal and Juan Villarreal.
He is survived by his loving wife, Juanita O. Villarreal (married over 65 years); his son Ponciano Villarreal Jr.; and his daughters, Gloria Cardenas, Maria Herrera, Olivia Treviño and Berta Maldonado. In addition, he is survived by many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the caregivers for spending countless hours taking such excellent care of our dear father. The love you showed my parents will never be forgotten. May God continue to bless your mission.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 23, 2017 with a Rosary to be held at 7:00 p.m. at San Benito Funeral Home. A Chapel Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 24, 2017 at San Benito Funeral Home. Interment will then follow at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission, Texas. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of San Benito Funeral Home at 1400 W. Business U.S. Hwy. 77, San Benito, Texas 78586, 956-361-9192.