Paul Zuniga Silva

1954 - 2022

Mount Vernon - Paul Zuniga Silva, age 68, passed away on October 31, 2022 in Bellingham, Washington. He was born on October 7, 1954 in Las Cruces, New Mexico to Julian C. and Paula Z. Silva.

Paul served in the United States Army from 1971-1977 as a Corporal Specialist 4. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal as he served during the Vietnam War. Paul was stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey and later transferred to U.S. Army Control Group Reinforcement in St. Louis, Missouri. Paul was deployed to Frankfurt, Germany where he attended and graduated from Frankfurt American High School. He also studied at Everett Community College and Skagit Community College.

Paul worked for P.PONK Aviation in Camano, Washington for a time before owning his own business. Air Structures was his business wherein he did what he loved; rebuilding and repairing aircrafts such as Cessna 180s and Beaver/with float aircrafts. Paul completed The Aviation Maintenance Airframe and Powerplant Certification Program, for which he received a license from the Federal Aviation Administration. It comes as no surprise that Paul also enjoyed putting together model cars and airplanes in his spare time.

Paul is survived by his ex-wife Bella Ruiz of Mount Vernon; daughter, Jessica (Jim) of Conway; brothers, Louis (Linda) Silva of Oklahoma and Jose Silva of Mount Vernon; sisters, Evanjelina (Dale Jr.) Silva-Bartelmey of Mount Vernon, Angela Silva of Renton, Elizabeth Silva of Bellingham, Esther (Dennis) Silva-Coley of Los Angeles, California, Delia (Ramiro) Sandoval of Montebello, California; granddaughters, Mattisyn and Alison Caughlin of Conway; and grandson, James Caughlin of Conway.

Paul is preceded in death by his parents, Julian (12/26/2010) and Paula Silva (10/8/2017); his son, Raymond Silva (7/7/2019); and his brother, Eliacer Silva (1/15/2021).

The family would like to thank Whatcom Hospice House for the wonderful care they provided to Paul and his family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be directed to the Whatcom Hospice House.

A graveside inurnment will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2022 at Noon at Mount Vernon Cemetery, 1200 E Fir Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. You may offer your condolences and share memories of Paul to his family online at www.kernfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home.