Pancho Villa's Obituary
Pancho Villa, 91, passed away on November 17, 2025, at Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco, Texas. Arrangements are listed below.
Pancho spent his life working in the agriculture industry, where he mastered his trade with skill and pride. He worked tirelessly harvesting and hauling produce—corn, grain, sorghum, tomatoes, watermelon, and cotton, among others—and also spent time working at upstate cotton gins. When he wasn’t working in the fields, he could be found repairing or improving his farm equipment and trucks, painting them, fine-tuning engines, or performing general maintenance.
A hardworking man, Pancho led by example, taking the time to teach his sons the tricks of his trade. His passion for planting, harvesting, and tinkering with his trucks was evident in everything he did. When you work at what you love, success naturally follows.
Pancho was a devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He taught his family members how to drive, guiding them patiently along country back roads until they were ready. In his younger years, he enjoyed swimming in the canals that served as their childhood swimming pool and loved fishing whenever he had the chance.
Though he worked hard, Pancho also knew how to enjoy life. He loved enchiladas, indulging in foot-long hot dogs, and sharing a meal with his family at their favorite restaurants. He cherished family beach trips, planning every detail—from the drive to the evening cookout. Pancho also enjoyed road trips to Hearne, Waco, or Bryan, places where he had once worked.
Holidays and birthdays were special to him. The gatherings were always bigger and fuller, and as long as his family was together, Pancho was content. Sharing meals, laughter, stories, and listening to Spanish corridos in the background created memories that will last for generations.
Pancho was a strong leader both in work and at home. A devoted Catholic, he raised his children to practice their faith. The Villa family attended Mass on Sundays and holy days at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mercedes, where they received their sacraments.
Pancho was brave, exceptionally strong, loving, caring, responsible, and endlessly hardworking. He was especially protective of his daughters and poured his love and devotion into helping raise his grandchildren—they were truly his world. He was also a wonderful husband to his beloved wife, Lupita— He was tall, strong, and handsome.
Pancho is preceded in death by his parents, Guadalupe and Santos (Saenz) Villa; his loving wife, Guadalupe; his beloved grandson, Juan “Tiny” Mercado; and his brothers, Beto Villa, Guadalupe Villa, Raul Villa, and Servando Villa.
He is survived by his children: Fernando Villa, Eloy Villa, Martin Villa, Jesus Villa, Ninfa Villa, and Eloisa Mercado; his siblings, Juanita Villa Piña and Ernesto Villa; his grandchildren, Bianca Mercado, Johnathan Mercado, Daniel Villa, Fernando Villa Jr., Orlando Villa, Fernando Pancho Villa, Naomi Villa, Briana Villa, Eloy Villa Jr., Martin Villa Jr., Victoria Villa, and Matthew Villa; eleven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at McCaleb Funeral Home, with a Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m.
Mass will be celebrated on Friday, November 21, at 10:00 a.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mercedes. Pancho will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife and grandson at Sacred Park Cemetery in Mercedes.
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