Ricardo B. Villescas, born Janurary 11, 1930, of Safford, passed away on Friday, December 30, 2016. He was born in Morenci to Ricardo and Antonia Villescas.
Ricardo grew up and attended school in Duncan. He was full of mischief and love for his family. Like many during his young years, he stopped school and went to work to help support his family. He worked at the Clifton Lumber Yard at an early age of 15. In all the years he gathered many stories and would tell them to his children. They always listened and enjoyed the time sitting in the kitchen at the dinner table. He remembered all his fellow employees with fond memories.
Ricardo met the love of his life, Edwiges, in El Paso, TX, and they were married in 1954. Together they raised 7 children, boys and girls, that surely were responsible for all his grey hair. During his years raising his family, he involved the boys and himself in the Boy Scouts of America. He enjoyed the outdoors as well as hunting and fishing, even as a young boy. His stories of his adventures climbing the mountains around Clifton always kept his children listening.
Shortly before retirement, he left the Clifton Lumber Yard for a less stressful position in the shipping and receiving at Morenci Schools. He worked there until his retirement. Ricardo was always busy with family and life and therefore did not graduate from high school, but in his later years when his kids were well on their way to finishing school, both Ricardo and Edwiges went back and received their GED.
Ricardo is survived by his wife, Edwiges, 7 children, 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren who love him and miss his presence sitting at his favorite chair at the kitchen table.
Services for Ricardo will be held on Friday, January 6, 2017 with a viewing at 9:00 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 10:00 a.m. at the Apostolic Church in Safford with Pastor Jose Luna officiating. Interment will be in the Safford Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel & Gila Valley Crematory. Online condolences may be extended at www.caldwellfuneralchapel.com.
