William E. Villanueva

1922 - 2010

William Estrada Villanueva, 88, of Ventura, passed away on Dec. 2, 2010.

Known to friends and family as Memo or Bill, he was born and raised in Ontario, Calif., to Emilio and Luz Villanueva. He was from a family of 11 brothers and sisters. In his youth he worked as a farm laborer and in packinghouses, and became an amateur boxer.

William entered the US Army during WWII in 1943 as a Combat Infantryman, earning a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. Bill saw service in North Africa, Anzio, and the Italian campaigns. His highest rank held was Staff Sergeant and was an Infantry Squad Leader.

He left the service in 1945 and worked as a laborer and construction worker. In 1959, he met the love of his life in Sacramento, Alice Dolores Bodle-Critchfield, and they were together for 39 years.

His father and mother, and six siblings preceded him in death.

His siblings Raymond, Fernando, Lola and Shelia survive him, as do his children and their spouses - Joe (Leona), David (Heather), Susan (Ron) and Christy (Alan), as well as numerous grandchildren - David Jr., Chris, Chelsey, Ian, Johanna, Krista, Carrie, Jody, Jack, Jeff, Mark, Dennis, Pascal, Michael, Christopher, Lauren, and several great-grandchildren.

Bill was a member of the Catholic Church, and avid vegetable and flower gardener who loved to play his guitar and sing. He was a quick wit, and loved to tell stories and jokes.

He will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife Alice in White Chapel Cemetery, in Wichita, Kan.