Beloved father, Husband, Son, brother, grandfather, and Brother in Arms passed peacefully at home with his wife Cleo Martinez-Villarreal by his side in Cotulla Texas in the early hours of Friday, August 11th, 2017. He was 80 years young and still full of smiles and love till the last day.
Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Villarreal Served our country honorably for 35 years, as an Airborne Ranger in the Vietnam War, and leading his fellow soldiers in Operation Desert Storm.
Company C – 1st Battalion – Airborne Division – 501st Infantry. Below is a list of his medals
- Legion of Merit – Given to his Grandson Jeremiah Villarreal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal
- Vietnamese Campaign Medal
- Combat Infantryman's Badge
- Air Medal
- Bronze Star Medal
- Pathfinder's Badge
- (2) Overseas Service Bars
I spoke with Ben about his service many times, and he could tell me the exact names of all 23 different aircraft he jumped out of. He never was without his Vietnam Vet hat covered in honor pins, or his Vietnam Vet jacket, he was proud of his service to his country, he was a great man.

Ben was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, where he graduated high school and immediately enlisted to the Armed Services (Army) after graduating. After years in service, Ben went to college and graduated from the University of Texas in Austin with a degree in Civil Engineering. For many years Ben was the Head Engineer for D.A.R.T (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) in Dallas, Texas.
After remarrying later in life, he moved to Mason City, IA to open a Tex-Mex restaurant called La Casa Martinez, and later another restaurant called Maria's Kitchen in Mason City, IA with his wife Cleo and son (step-son) Joseph Alvarez Jr.

Ben is preceded in death by his father Ben Villarreal Sr., his brothers Robert Villarreal & Carlos Villarreal and his first love and first wife Esperanza Villarreal. He is survived by a large and loving family. His Mother Guadalupe Reyes who will be 105 in December, Brother Raymond Villarreal, Brother Danny Villarreal, Sister Annabelle, Daughters Veronica Moore (Jason Moore), Belinda Mayo (Mark Mayo), Angie Streetman (Tom Streetman), Celeste Dorwart (Andrew Dorwart), Laura Owens, Son Richard Lujano and Son (Step-Son) Joseph Alvarez Jr. (Jessica Alvarez), Step-Daughters Sonia Alvarez and Vickey Thompson (Jason Thompson). Grandchildren: Jeremiah Villarreal (Ashley Villarreal), Kevin Anderson, Christopher Irwin, Seth Streetman, Savannah Streetman, Alix Keatts, Sunshine Owens, Chris Owens and Clark Owens. With a total of 19 Great Grandchildren.

He has blessed us all, thank you Mijo……PawPaw……My Honey…...Benito…...Daddy.

Hoorah! See you in the Skies Master Jumper Villarreal!

Service dates and times are currently pending.