Guillermo Castaneda

Guillermo F. Castaneda, 91, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2012 at a local hospital, surrounded by family. He lived a full and rewarding life dedicated to God, his family and his career.

Mr. Castaneda was part of the Greatest Generation and served proudly in the U. S. Army Air Corps as a sergeant during World War II. After the war, Mr. Castaneda became active in community work such as the Knights of Columbus as a Fourth Degree member, Lion's Club officer and member for 25 years, Chamber of Commerce of Laredo, United Way Fund chairperson and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church member serving in various capacities throughout the years, dedicating his life to our Lord. He was employed with Sherwin-Williams Paint Company for 31 years as the Laredo Branch Manager.

He was a lifelong learner who strongly believed in and instilled the value of education to his family; a loving and dedicated husband and father who took the time to bid each and every one of us a personal goodbye each morning as he left for work; a father who made it point to take us traveling every summer,-and a father with a big heart who was a continuous example of traditional family values which will live on forever in all of us and through the many generations of family to come.

Mr. Castaneda was preceded in death by his father Francisco Castaneda, and his mother Mara de Jess R. Castaneda.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years of marriage, Angela M. Castaneda; and nine children: Sylvia Bazalda of San Antonio, TX, Guillermo (Adela) Castaneda of McAllen, TX, Diana (Jose) Padilla of McAllen, TX, Ricardo (Graciela) Castaneda of San Antonio, TX, Patricia (John) English of Austin, TX, Ray Castaneda (Cristina) of McAllen, TX, Hilda (Jose) Luna of McAllen, TX, Rebecca Castaneda of Laredo, TX, and Gerardo (Marisela) Castaneda of Laredo, TX.-Guillermo is further survived by his 13 grandchildren:-Javier (Sonya) Castaneda, Cristina Bazalda, Cindy (Charles) Hernandez, Johnny (Tabitha) Bazalda, Bianca (Sal) Garza, Jaime (Julie) Castaneda, Selina Padilla, Eduardo Luna, Carlos Ray (Roxanne) Castaneda, Jose Luna, Jr., Cecilia Castaneda, Ricardo Luna, Andrea Castaneda as well as by 9 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Teofila Pellegrino of San Diego, CA and Angelina (Juan) Guerra of Del Rio, TX; two brothers, Francisco (Alicia) Castaneda of Kingsville, TX and Gilbert (Loretta) Castaneda of League City, TX.

The family thanks his caregivers, Rosaura Villarreal, Gina Jimenez, and Herlinda Garcia for their support and caring throughout the years. Special thanks to Dr. Jose R. Garcia.