Willie Benitez

Willie Benitez Jr., 85 passed away Thursday, April 16, 2015 at his residence. Funeral mass for Mr. Benitez will be Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Martin Pina officiating.  Burial will follow at Nevels Cemetery under the direction of Calvillo Funeral Home.  Viewing will begin at 2:00 pm Sunday, April 19, 2015 and a rosary will be held 7:00 pm, Monday, April 20, 2015 at Calvillo Funeral Home.

Willie was born January 23, 1930 in Poteet to Willie & Refugia Benitez.  In 1950 he married Juanita Badillo(the mother of his children) in San Antonio. He later married Lola Brito in 1995 in Tucumcari, NM and worked as a truck driver for most of his life.   He lived in Tahoka and moved to Lubbock in 1980 where he lived until his passing. He was a friend to all and enjoyed greatly spending time with his family and grandchildren.

He is survived by his first wife, Juanita Benitez of Lubbock; three sons and daughters-in-law, Jesse & Esmeralda Benitez, Willie Benitez III all of Lubbock, Jimmy & Lucy Benitez of Las Vegas; three daughters and sons-in-law, Diana & Johnny Riojas, Patricia & Mike Pena all of Lubbock, Sylvia & Lupe Riojas of Tahoka; two brothers, Leonard Benitez of Lubbock, Dan Benitez of California; two sisters, Lillie Cornelius of Corpus Christi, Loraine Ledesma of Lubbock; nineteen grandchildren; twenty seven great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lola Benitez; a son, Perry Benitez; a daughter, Yolanda Benitez; two brothers, Manuel Benitez, Steve Benitez.