Benjamin M. Delgadillo

BENJAMIN M.
DELGADILLO
1924-2008

Benjamin M. Delgadillo, 83, of Santa Maria, California died June 13, 2008.
Benjamin (Benny) was born September 30, 1924 in Betteravia, California to Regino and Rita Delgadillo who emigrated to the United States in 1921. He lived in Betteravia and was proud to have attended a one room school with a teacher who taught grades K-8. He then attended Santa Maria High School and he worked at the Allan Hancock School of Aeronautics until entering the United States Army in 1943. He participated in a number of battles and campaigns, including: the seventh wave of landings on the shores of the Normandy beach head, The Ardennes, Central Europe, and the crossing into the Rhineland. He was honorably discharged in January of 1946 at Fort McArthur. He returned to the Santa Maria Valley and his beloved Betteravia and worked at Union Sugar for a number of years. On Nov. 4, 1948 he married his beloved war bride, Santiaga Orona Garcia from La Flor de Jimulco, Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico. They moved to Santa Maria where he resided the rest of his life. They had five children, Arthur (Jane), Elva Leticia, Javier (deceased, surviving spouse Eliza), Fernando (Cathy), and Norma (Paul Ownbey). He had six grandchildren, Ernesto & Manuel Romero, Fernando & Alicia Delgadillo, Benjamin & Natalie Delgadillo of Houston, Texas, and great granddaughter Angelique Sauceda.
He is survived by his wife, Santiaga, his sister Consuelo Fernandez, and various relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Javier, and siblings Luz Razo, Salvador Delgadillo, William Delgadillo (surviving spouse Henrietta), Martina Lemos, Hortensia Moncibais, Socorro Mendoza.
Following World War II he was also employed by the U.S. Postal Service, local agriculture, as a guard at Camp Cook Army Base, and the Allan Hancock College Maintenance and Operations Department until his retirement in 1990.
Ben was a very patriotic and a very simple man, who believed in honesty and integrity. No matter what the circumstances were, Ben believed there are no mistakes in life, only experiences that taught lessons. This was his philosophy. He was respectful and also inspired respect. Ben always enjoyed a cold German beer, loved sports, especially boxing, and was always ready for political commentary, as he was an avid reader and a lover of history. He loved listening to the corrido music of the Mexican Revolution along with rancheras and boleros. Finally, let's not forget his favorite pet, Turbo the Cat, who loved him and misses him.
Services: Rosary on Wed, June 19, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, Mass on Thursday, June 20, 2008, 9:00 a.m. at St. John Neumann Catholic Church. Burial with Military Honors to follow at the Santa Maria Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary & Crematory.
Dudley-Hoffman
Mortuary & Crematory
(805) 922-8463