Lilia Villarreal Vazquez

Lilia Villarreal Vazquez, 91, of Laredo, Texas, passed away on February 10, 2019. Lilia was born in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas - Mexico on August 27, 1927. Her family moved to Laredo when she was very young, where she attended Laredo public schools and graduated from Martin High School. Lilia is survived by her high school sweetheart of 70 years, Jose Humberto Vazquez, and three children, Lilia Laura Garcia, and spouse, Francisco L., Carlos Vazquez, and Guillermo Vazquez, and spouse, Doris Encarnacion. She was predeceased in death by her eldest son, Jose Humberto Vazquez Jr.  She has five grandchildren, Clarisa Rhodes and spouse, Greg, Gabriel Garcia and spouse, Emily, Delia Christina Vazquez, Guillermo E. Vazquez Jr., and Christian Humberto Vazquez. She has five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents Raul and Manuela Villarreal. She is survived by three siblings, Miguel Angel Villarreal Sr., Ruth De Luna, and Guillermo Villarreal; and predeceased by two siblings, Raul Villarreal Jr., and Beatriz Ruiz. The pallbearers will be Lilia’s grandsons, Gabriel Garcia, and Guillermo E. Vazquez, Jr, her nephews, Luis Villarreal, Alfredo Villarreal, and Miguel Angel Villarreal, Jr. and Benjamin Herd. Serving as Honorary pallbearers will be her son Carlos Vazquez, her brothers, Miguel Angel Villarreal, Sr. and Guillermo Villarreal, her nephew David Ruiz, and Eddie Elizondo, CPA. Her name will forever be linked to Villarreal Electric Company, a company started by her father, Raul Villarreal Sr. Before she was in her teens, she had started helping her father as he was starting the business in the 1930s. Eventually, all of her five siblings were involved in the business, and it evolved and grew as a true family business. Many of her memories of her teen years revolved around the experiences she and her siblings shared around the business. After high school, Lilia received some Bookkeeping and Accounting training, which allowed her to take over more and more responsibilities of the business. Over the years, she held virtually every position in the business, becoming President in the 1960s. This was at a time when female executives were rare, and yet, she excelled in the position. Many of the National Distributors she dealt with, commented on her business acumen, and keen business mind. Her leadership was one of the driving forces that made Villarreal Electric Company the largest electrical supply company in South Texas and was well known throughout South Texas and northern Mexico. She held the President position until she was 85 years old when her health caused her to step down, but she remained an active force on the Board of Directors until her death. Her other love was to read the scriptures and to share her love of Christ with family and friends. Her personality always made people feel welcome and appreciated. Very actively involved in her church, Sinai Presbyterian Church, she served as a deacon and as a member of the choir. Her faith was made evident by constant caring for family and friends at church. The highlight of her week was always Sunday mornings when she could “worship in the House of the Lord”. Even when she had to curtail her activities for health reasons, she was always ready for church on Sunday mornings.  She loved her family and devoted her time to making sure the family was doing well. Sharing her love of traveling with her husband, Jose Humberto, they enjoyed seeing the world together. Throughout the years, they visited Mexico often and as well as various countries in South America, and Europe. They particularly enjoyed travel throughout the United States and Mexico with the entire family. Perhaps one of their best trips was celebrating their 50-year wedding anniversary in San Juan, Puerto Rico where they celebrated their special evening dancing before the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra at the San Juan Hotel. Lilia will be deeply missed by her family and friends. The family will receive friends at the wake service on Friday, February 15, 2019 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hillside Funeral Chapel located at 310 West Hillside Road.  Pastor Rev. Rafael Dominguez from Sinai Presbyterian Church will officiate a brief praise and adoration service at 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will start at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at Sinai Presbyterian Church. Please meet at the church located in 420 Washington St. Interment will follow at the City of Laredo Cemetery. The family of Lilia V. Vazquez wishes to thank the congregation of Sinai Presbyterian Church, and their Pastor, Rev. Rafael Dominguez, the entire Villarreal family and most of all, our Lord Jesus Christ for the blessing of eternal life. If you would like to sign the guestbook or send private condolences, you may do so at www.hillsidefuneral.com Arrangements are under the direction of Hillside Funeral Home, 310 Hillside Road.