Joseph Galvez Villegas

Joseph was the youngest of four (4) children born to Joe S. and Lena G. Villegas.  His parents passed before him in 1981 and 1982, respectively.  His surviving family members are:  siblings Maurice G. Villegas, Lupe V. Fernandez and Margo G. Villegas; nephews Anthony Fernandez and Manuel Villegas and nieces Marie Dee Melgoza and Amber L.K. Villegas.

Our lives are very much like a book with many chapters and many pages.  Joseph’s first chapter opened on November 20, 1952 at Sutter Maternity Hospital in Sacramento, California.  He grew up in midtown where he attended both Saint Joseph’s and Washington Elementary Schools and American Legion Charter High School from which he graduated in 1970.  He furthered his education enrolling at Cosumnes River College and California State University – Sacramento where he majored in Fine Arts.  Beyond his formal education Joseph was self-taught in many skills.  Among them were carpentry, plumbing, electrical and automotive mechanics.

Joseph proudly served in the United States Army.  He entered the service in March of 1977.  While on Active Duty (AD) he quickly rose to the rank of Specialist Five (5) in slightly less than four (4) years.  This is remarkable for such a brief period of time.  His Military Occupational Speciality (MOS) was that of a Personnel Actions Specialist.  During all of his overseas time, which was slightly more than two (2) years, he was stationed in Baumholder, Germany.  His decorations earned include the Expert Rifle Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Army Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster).  His Character of Service was Honorable when he separated from AD at Fort Ord, California in March 1981,

Upon returning to civilian life Joseph pursued both civilian and reserve military careers.  In his civilian career, he was employed with the National Guard’s Federal Civil Service branch as a Compensation Claims Officer for the United States west coast area which included Hawaii.  In his parallel reserve military career, he served in both the California Air National Guard (ANG) and the California Army National Guard (ARNG).  It was in the ARNG where he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC).  A praiseworthy accomplishment.

Shortly after leaving Federal Civil Service employment and separating from the ARNG, Joseph began working for the United Parcel Service (UPS) as a Safety Supervisor.  He retired circa 2010.

Joseph took advantage of his civilian education and military training opportunities available to him and succeeded admirably.

Joseph, beloved by family and friends, was surrounded by family members when he passed.  He turned the final page of his final chapter on February 26, 2023 at Kaiser Foundation Hospital, Morse Avenue, Sacramento, California.

Joseph’s burial will take place at 12:00 P.M. on May 1, 2023 at Saint Mary’s Cemetery, 6509 Fruitridge Road, Sacramento, California 95820.  Military Honors will be provided by an Honor Guard and a United States flag will be presented to a family member.

A catered reception will follow from 12:30 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. in Reception Room B, Saint Mary’s Cemetery and Funeral Center, 6509 Fruitridge Road, Sacramento CA 95820.