Salvador J. Villa Jr., 86, U.S. Army Veteran

Born February 7, 1930 in Lorain and raised in South Lorain to parents Salvador J. and Anna M. Villa.

He served in WWII in Germany in the US Army. Salvador retired from American Shipyard with 25 years as a burner/welder, after working a few years at the U. S. Steel, Lorain.

Salvador was a dedicated University of Arizona Basketball fan, & Cleveland Sports fan. He was happy to see his first Cavaliers championship and was saddened he only was able to have seen one Browns and Indian championship. He was a great athlete who excelled at basketball, baseball and football in high school, while also training in Judo at the YMCA. He played for the Traveling Army Basketball team while stationed in Germany. He was an avid golfer after retirement. He was a fantastic cook and enjoyed making Mexican meals for his family. Salvador enjoyed going to the casinos with his wife and spending time with his family members reminiscing of his years growing up in South Lorain and his travels to Mexico and overseas in the Army.

Salvador was a beloved and devoted husband of 40 years to loving wife Mary G. Villa (née Valdez); he was a very compassionate loving father to his children Tina Villa-Celli, Anthony Villa and Tanya Villa all of Lorain; step-children David Zudell of Vermilion; Michael Zudell, Atlanta, Georgia and Sandra Jenkins (Zudell) Parma. His is also survived by his beloved brother Adam Villa, Lorain and sister Delores Marina Munoz, Walnut, California and uncle Guadalupe “Tio Lupe” Mesa, Chicago, Illinois. Salvador had a special place in his heart for his loving grandchildren Salina Marie, Tahnee, Gabriel, and Angela Kirk, Melissa and Anthony Villa Jr., Francisco and Salma Villa Morales, Mia and Ramon Rivas II, Jessica and Melissa Jenkins; Drew, Danny, & Darcy Zudell, and great-grandchildren, Josiah, Amarisa, and Antonio Rivas Amador, Amariana Lawrence, Suriyah and Reina Villa, Nikoi Villa, Rafael Pacheco and Angela Brillion and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Salvador was preceded in death by his loving daughter Lisa M. Villa, step-son Marcello G. Flores Jr., his eldest brother Oscar Villa as well as his parents Salvador Sr., and Anita (née Puido) Villa.

His family will receive friends Friday, September 2 from 11 AM until time of his funeral service at 2 PM. in Richard J. Reidy Funeral Home, 1783 East 31st Street, South Lorain. Rev. Father John C. Retar pastor of St. Frances Cabrini Parish, Lorain and Rev. Felix Munoz will officiate.

For further information and to sign the online register book, see Reidyfuneral.com.