Thomas Villareal

Thomas “Butch” Villareal, 79, of Great Falls, passed away on February 19, 2020. The family will begin receiving friends beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, 2020, at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel with a vigil service to be held at 6:00 p.m. A funeral liturgy will be held on Monday, February 24, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Thomas was born on July 15, 1940, in Great Falls to Thomas and Rose (LaPier) Villareal. He grew up in a large family with 6 brothers, Tomas, Marvin, Albert, Raymond, Arthur, and Robert and 6 sisters, Roberta, Marlene, Delores, Delphine, Janie, and Minerva. After graduating high school, Thomas entered the U.S. Army in July of 1957. He was stationed at Fort Cason, Colorado and the Fort Leonard Wood and then aboard the USS Funston. This endeavor allowed him to travel to Korea where he spent 9 months in Japan. He played in the band The Jay Walkers. He was a part of this band for 5 years, traveling through the northwest. During his travels was when he met the love of his life, Henny Jackson. He worked for various construction jobs in Helena before he moved to Great Falls, where he started working on cockpit electronics for various aircraft. After his electronics career ended, he started his career as a long haul truck driver from which he retired. Thomas and Henny married in 1965. Together they had four children, Thomas, Rachel, Curtis, and Katrina. Rachel passed away during childbirth. Aside from spending time with his family during his retirement he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He also volunteered at the Senior Citizen’s Center helping with taxes, as well as at Habitat for Humanity Restore. Thomas is survived by his loving wife, Henny; sons, Thomas Anthony Villareal and Curtis Glenn Villareal; daughter, Katrina Rachelle Villareal; sister, Roberta “Tiny” Salterain; brother, Tomas Villareal; six grandchildren, Zachary, Christian, Clarrisa, Anthony, Mariah, and Jordan; five great-grandchildren; and numerous loving extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Villareal, Sr. and Rose LaPier; brothers, Marvin Gonzales, Albert Gonzales, Raymond Gonzales, Arthur Villareal, and Robert Gonzales; and sisters, Marlene Villareal, Delores Minyard, Delphine McGregor, Janie Staats, and Minerva Trotchie. He was loved by all and will be greatly missed.