ALDAEMA HAMILTON

Aldaema “Emma” Villarreal was born on August 17, 1956 at 7:00 AM in Grandview Hospital, Edinburg, Texas. She was the eldest child of Ruben and Maria Villarreal. The birth certificate shows that Ruben was a musician, age 22, and Maria was a housewife, age 17.

Emma moved often as a child, as the daughter of a musician. In adult life, she was a military spouse for 21 years, and continued to move often. The family spent 10 years in Germany, interspersed with stateside postings in Lawton, Oklahoma, before coming back to North Texas.

Emma loved music. She loved to travel. She prized her antiques, Hummel figurines, and Swarovski crystal.

Emma had a variety of different careers in her life. She worked at the Youth Activities in Germany and Oklahoma and received several commendations from the U.S. Army for her dedication. She waited tables, worked for several years as a tax professional at H&R Block, and before her battle with illness was a certified medical assistant.

Emma is survived by her son, Billy Jr.; three grandsons, Lawrence “Alex”, Zachary, and Joseph “Joey”; and one great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Marie. She is also survived by her mother, Maria Villarreal; two sisters, Maribel and Marina, and two brothers, Ruben Jr. and Arnold. She was preceded in death by her brother Humberto.

Emma’s life was focused on service to others. She was a devoted wife and mother and always worked jobs that centered around helping people. She put her own plans on hold to be there for those around her and handled the trials and slings that life threw her way with dignity and grace. She meant more than she probably knew to all of us, and she will be missed.