Willie Padilla, 85, of North Hurley passed away on Saturday, August 12, 2017 in Las Cruces, NM surrounded by his family.

Willie was born on November 13, 1931 to Espiridion and Isabel (Chavela) Padilla in Hatch, NM. He was married to Lela Padilla, the love of his life for 62 years. Willie was retired after working 34 years at Kennecott as a truck driver. Dad loved his family beyond words can say. He loved cooking for his family and his specialty was making chili Colorado, empanadas de beans and chile, galletas and sopapillas. Willie loved spending time with his family ,camping, hunting, fishing, going to La Lena (wood cutting), making changitas (monkeys) out of peach pits. Dad was very well known at the lake. When he would go to the lake his favorite saying was "Everrryyybodddy" when he caught a fish. Willie was also known by his greeting by calling many people, "Ese Maro". Our dad was the BEST husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, cousin and friend. Willie was a traditionalist, a cook, a musician, the mechanic, the welder, fisherman, pinon scouter, inventor, gardener, artist, story teller, carpenter and music composer. Our dad was a jack of all trades and MASTER OF ALL. Willie will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Willie is survived by his wife, Lela; five children, Irene Rodriguez (Boyce), Patsy Apodaca (Rudy), Billy Padilla (Marta), Bertha Peru (Manuel), Speedy Padilla (Elle); sisters, Ernestina Chacon (Manny), Lilly Sandoval (Marcy) and Beda Saborio; 22 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Mike and Leo Padilla; sisters, Anita Munoz and Josie Padilla; father-in-law, Jesus Sedillos, mother-in-law, Louisa Sedillos.

A visitation will take place on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at nine-thirty in the morning at Infant Jesus Shrine in Hurley, NM. The Prayer Vigil and Rosary will be at ten in the morning and the Funeral Liturgy at ten-thirty at Infant Jesus Shrine. Concluding Services and Burial will follow at the Hurley Cemetery. Officiating will be Father Francisco Diaz. Serving, as pallbearers will be his grandsons, Gilbert, Leroy and Gary Rodriguez, Dr. Ruben Apodaca, Meme, Raymond, Javier and Juan Carlos Peru, Billy Austin Padilla. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be his granddaughters, Valerie, Stephanie, Karen, Raquel, Felicia, Isabel, Victoria, Veronica, Venessa, Jaclynn, Andrea, Celine and Divina.