Benjamin Marquez Padilla

Benjamin Marquez Padilla First SGT US Army Retired, 81, passed away on June 3, 2010 at his west side residence. Mr. Padilla was a lifelong resident born in Mesilla, NM on March 6, 1929 to Ysidro Chavarria and Louisa Marquez Padilla, the 10th of 13 children, five passing away at infancy and childhood. "Benjie", "Ben" graduated from Las Cruces Union High School. He and four brothers served in the military. Ben was recruited at the age of 20 into the National Guard and later enlisted into the regular Army in 1951. He fought and served in the Korean War where he was awarded the Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Marksman (Carbine) Expert (Rifle), Total of eight Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal with Oakleaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. He retired in 1975 after 27 years of service to his country from Fort Bliss, Texas. During his service he met his lovely wife Anita Cano and raised two sons, Raymond and David. He served tours in Japan, Okinawa and Korea after the war. After retirement, Ben continued his education at NMSU - Doña Ana Branch where he attained an associate degree in Water/Waste water System Technology. He was a Level IV Operator at the town of Silver City Waste water Plant where he retired after 8 years. He also worked for 3 years for the town of Anthony, NM at their waste water plant until health problems prevented further service he was a member of VFW. He loved his guns, hunting, woodworking and being a grandfather. He was preceded in death by his eldest sister Sofia, brother Samuel II, his mother Louisa, Father Ysidro brothers Valvino, Gilberto, Eduardo, Salvador, sister Aurora and nephew Danny Padilla. He is survived by his lovely wife Anita Cano Padilla, one sister Lydia Beardsley of Madison, IN, his sons, Raymond Padilla and wife Mickie of Las Cruces, David Cano Padilla and wife Jerrie of Albuquerque, seven grandchildren, Michael Paul, Desirea, PVT2 Alexandra US Army, Diego, Isabelle, Mateo and Alejandro Padilla, one great grandchild, Amara Alicia Padilla and many nieces and nephews. Ben will lie in state from 6 - 7 PM with a rosary to follow at La Paz - Graham's Funeral Home Chapel at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, June 8, 2010. Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at 10:00 AM at St. Genevieve's Catholic Church with interment to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery with full Military Honors. Special thanks to daughter in law Mickie and the Corral Family also to the Cano and Padilla families and to Michael Cano MST SGT-US Army Band for playing taps at Ben's request and thanks to Doña Ana Home Health Care and Mesilla Valley Hospice staff. Pallbearers will be Larry Padilla, Michael Cano, Michael Paul Padilla, PVT2 Alexandra Padilla, Johnny Alvarez and Ralph Padilla. Honorary Pallbearers - J.J. Padilla, Paul Padilla, Rudy Padilla, Frank Colella and Alfred Cano, Jr. Service arrangement have been entrusted to La Paz - Graham's Funeral Home, 555 W. Amador, 526-6891. To send the Padilla family condolences log on to www.lapaz-grahams.com.