Joseph Gonzales Camarillo

Joe was born on October 19th, 1938, in Austin, Texas, to Herlinda and Gilberto Camarillo. He was a caring husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend.

Joe married Virginia Ledesma on June 4th, 1961, and they remained lifelong companions. They were blessed with two children, Carolyn and Eric.

Joe dedicated 29 years of service to the City of Austin, retiring with numerous achievements. In the 1970s, while employed by the city, he collaborated with other municipal workers, at the behest of his wife who worked at the Texas AFL-CIO, to unionize city workers, resulting in the creation of Local 1624 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees. Subsequently, Joe was elected President of Local 1624 and served two terms as Texas AFL-CIO Vice President, representing District 10. His love for the labor movement later led him to become a Sergeant-at-Arms at Texas AFL-CIO conventions. After retiring, he took pleasure in maintaining a beautiful lawn, hunting, fishing, undertaking odd jobs for the community, and cherishing his role as a loving grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herlinda and Gilberto Camarillo; brothers, Gilbert, Conrad, Reuben, Ernest, and Rudy Camarillo; and sister, Linda Schap.

Joe is survived by his wife, Virginia Camarillo; his children, Carolyn Zacker and husband, Mike Zacker, Eric Camarillo and wife, Dina Amado; eight grandchildren, Erica Camarillo and husband, Jose Duque, Ezekiel "Zeke" Camarillo, Christopher “Pookie” Hammond, Carly Hammond, Jazel Thompson and husband, Graeme Thompson, Ashley Briones; his brother, David Camarillo; and brother-in-law, Michael Schap of Baltimore, Maryland; and lastly two grand-dogs, Louie "Louis" Duque and Ozzy "Booger Boy" Camarillo.

Serving with honor and grace, pallbearers for Joe's service will be his son, Eric Camarillo; grandson, Ezekiel Camarillo; grandson-in-law, Jose Duque; brother, David Camarillo; and nephews, Charles Camarillo, and Mike Ledesma.

A visitation for Joe will be held Wednesday, October 9, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, 2620 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704. The recitation of the Holy Rosary will occur Wednesday, October 9, 2024 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, 2620 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704. A funeral mass will occur Thursday, October 10, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Saint.Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church, 126 W. Oltorf, Austin, Texas 78704. A graveside service will occur Thursday, October 10, 2024 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Assumption Cemetery, 3650 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Austin, TX 78704.