Phillip S Villela, 89 passed away on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. He was born on March 10, 1935, to Ramon and Artemisa Villela of Tolleson, Arizona. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, sisters Carmen Marinez, and Margaret Rojas, grandson Jacob Newton, son-in-law William Penny, and his wife of 64 years, Berta Villela. He is survived by his daughters Grace Nolan and Susan Penny, son Phillip R. Villela (Debbie), brother Ray Villela (Lydia), sister Petra Villela and many nieces and nephews. He was Grandfather to Jade Maglio (Caleb), James Penny, Jacob Newton, Josh Penny, Jessica Penny Aguilar (Alex), David Perez, Mariah Nolan, Shanna Young, Dana Young, Matthew Young, and Great Grandfather to Carlos Rosas, Benjamin Rosas, Ronan Maglio, Olivia Aguilar, Lilah Adamo and twins Michaela Grace and Emilia Kathryn Perez.
Phil graduated from Tolleson Union High School, in Tolleson Arizona in May 1955. He played football in high school and ran track and was proud of his high school track record. On July 20, 1955, Phil enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and three months later married the love of his life, Berta Ybarra on October 8, 1955. Phil’s first assignment was to Yuma AB, Yuma Arizona. Phil hitchhiked home to Phoenix each weekend to see his new bride. Phil spent over 22 years in the Air Force as a Personnel Manager and together with their 3 kids they traveled the country and the world and were fortunate enough to live in some amazing places. He and his family were stationed at MacDill AFB, Florida, Offutt AFB, Nebraska, Moron AB, Spain, McConnell AFB, Kansas, and their final military destination of Hickam AFB, Hawaii. Phil completed several solo assignments and was stationed in Lakenheath, England, Udorn, Thailand, and Vietnam. Those tours took him away from his family for years at a time, it was a sacrifice that he and Berta felt they could manage and would offer him greater career opportunities, and it did. Phil was honorably discharged from the USAF as a Master Sergeant in 1977 while stationed at Luke AFB, Arizona, and received many honors, commendations, and citations, throughout his Air Force career.
He couldn’t stay retired, following his retirement from the Air Force, he worked as a phlebotomist for the Arizona Blood Bank for a short time and absolutely loved traveling and driving the mobile blood bank van around Arizona. He went on to have a career with the Veterans Administration. He decided retirement wasn’t ready for him and he accepted a position as a Civil Service Employee in the Base Personnel Office-Survivor Benefits section at Luke AFB, Arizona. His job there was to notify survivor families of the benefits available to them. He developed a close bond with many of the families and remained friends with them for years. He helped them move, helped them obtain services all on his personal time. He loved working with the families and felt such empathy for them and the losses they suffered. When he finally retired from all service in 1999, he gladly accepted the role of chauffeur for his granddaughter Mariah. He picked her up from school each day and made the rounds to McDonalds or the park before heading home to grandma and loved every minute of it.
Throughout the years Phil devoted much time to his community and community service. He coached his daughter’s softball team and his son’s football teams. He returned to school and got a degree in counseling. He volunteered at the jails and counseled, but mostly talked to inmates and always had compassion for folks less fortunate. He and Berta would put together food and toy baskets at Christmas and deliver them to the families of the inmates he became acquainted with. He was a volunteer in his Neighborhood Block Watch for many, many years and was more than happy to walk the neighborhood handing out flyers at community events. He loved this organization and met many dear friends who have continued to be a part of his life.
Phil, Daddy, Dad, Grandpa, Big Phil, or Uncle Phil was devoted to his wife and family and his country. He was a PROUD PATRIOT, who always flew the U.S. flag in his front yard. No other flag was acceptable to him, and he had no problem letting you know. He showed compassion, respect, and honor to others. He always worked hard, and he gave his kids the gift of a strong work ethic by his own example. He was a true animal lover and animals loved him back just as much. He was happy having a dog or cat in his lap. His all-time favorite food was a cheeseburger. He loved old westerns, and anything Clint Eastwood. He had a love for music of all genres, from Johnny Cash, Elvis, The Beatles to the 3 Tenors but there was no music more beautiful to him than Mexican and Spanish music. Especially Mariachi music!
Phil and Berta were married for more than 64 years. He said good-bye to the love of his life in June of 2019. His heart was broken, and he talked about his love for Berta all the time. He missed her terribly. The last few years saw him losing more and more of his memory, but he never forgot his love for Berta and how important his kids and grandkids were to him. They are together once more, and the entire family misses them but are happy that they are reunited once again. Rest in Peace Dad and Mom.
A memorial service for Phillip will be held Saturday, April 27, 2024, beginning promptly at 11:00 AM with military honors, at West Resthaven Funeral Home, 6450 West Northern Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301. Reception to follow.
In honor of Phil the family encourages the wearing of his favorite color, “Air Force” blue at his Celebration of Life.
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