1919
Sylvester
2013
Sylvester "Mexico" Bonilla
December 31, 1919 — August 23, 2013
Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in LaGrone-
Blackburn-Shaw Coulter Road Chapel with Emanuel Burgos officiating. Arrangements are by LaGrone-Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Coulter Road Chapel, 8310 S. Coulter St.
Sylvester was born Dec. 31, 1919, in Toyah to Tomas and Jovita Bonilla. Sylvester proudly served his country by serving in Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression, and during World War II, from 1943 to 1945. He married his wife, Elisa, on June 15, 1942, in El Paso, and they were married for 71 years.
Sylvester worked in road construction and worked on the majority of the highways in Texas, retiring from Cooper-Woodruff/Amarillo Road Co. in 1984. Even after retiring, he continued to work in the industry.
Originally from El Paso, he moved his family to Amarillo in the early 1960s. He was a very hard worker who loved watching football and spending time with his family. Sylvester loved to dance and was the source of entertainment for his troops while in the Army. Upon retiring, he became a very good craftsman and loved to make things out of recyclable materials.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Micaela, Lucia and Petra; a brother, Jesus; and a son, Oscar.
Survivors include his wife, Elisa; three daughters, Lilia B. Escajeda, Jovita Bromley and husband Michael and Melva Ornelas and husband Francisco, all of Amarillo; three sons, Silvestre Bonilla and wife Paige Ann of Frisco, Tomas Bonilla and wife Christi of Amarillo and Joel Bonilla and wife April of San
Luis Obispo, Calif.; 16
grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to Ussery-Roan State Veterans Home or a favorite charity.
Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home
Blackburn-Shaw Coulter Road Chapel with Emanuel Burgos officiating. Arrangements are by LaGrone-Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Coulter Road Chapel, 8310 S. Coulter St.
Sylvester was born Dec. 31, 1919, in Toyah to Tomas and Jovita Bonilla. Sylvester proudly served his country by serving in Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression, and during World War II, from 1943 to 1945. He married his wife, Elisa, on June 15, 1942, in El Paso, and they were married for 71 years.
Sylvester worked in road construction and worked on the majority of the highways in Texas, retiring from Cooper-Woodruff/Amarillo Road Co. in 1984. Even after retiring, he continued to work in the industry.
Originally from El Paso, he moved his family to Amarillo in the early 1960s. He was a very hard worker who loved watching football and spending time with his family. Sylvester loved to dance and was the source of entertainment for his troops while in the Army. Upon retiring, he became a very good craftsman and loved to make things out of recyclable materials.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Micaela, Lucia and Petra; a brother, Jesus; and a son, Oscar.
Survivors include his wife, Elisa; three daughters, Lilia B. Escajeda, Jovita Bromley and husband Michael and Melva Ornelas and husband Francisco, all of Amarillo; three sons, Silvestre Bonilla and wife Paige Ann of Frisco, Tomas Bonilla and wife Christi of Amarillo and Joel Bonilla and wife April of San
Luis Obispo, Calif.; 16
grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to Ussery-Roan State Veterans Home or a favorite charity.
Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home
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