Alfonso Al Valdez

Alfonso 'Al' Valdez, 96 of Willard, NM passed away on Saturday, March 3, 2018. Al leaves behind his devoted wife Gloria Lyon Valdez, children Rick Valdez and wife Yvonne, Don Valdez and wife Shirley, Natalie Gonzalez and husband Mario, Diane Chavez, Sandra Lucero, Eileen Donevant, and James and David Garcia.  Sisters Rose Montoya, Toni Montoya, Luisa Barowski and brother Tom Valdez and wife Virginia. He was also blessed with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Tom and Francisca Montoya Valdez, brothers Juan Leonardo (J.L) Valdez, Florencio 'Floyd' Valdez, Manuel Valdez, Nasario 'Nash' Valdez, Tom and Joe Valdez, sister Stella Valdez, children Archie Valdez, Robert Valdez, Sarah Valdez, Anthony 'Tony' Gomez, Peter James 'Sonny' Gomez, as well as grandsons Donnie Valdez Jr. and Archie Valdez Jr. Born in Moses, NM he was a cowboy at heart.  As a child he worked on a farm and retained his love of horses, open spaces and ranching. Al proudly served our country in the U.S. Army, a veteran of WWII. He worked tirelessly his entire life, he hated being idle and believed in hard work, loyalty and commitment to family. When his sons Rick and Donnie were children, Al along with the boys Boy Scout troop, worked to create a place in their Albuquerque South Valley community for children to go to have something to do and be active. They helped to build the South Valley Little League and Al served as its first president. Al was a truck driver and an active member of the Teamsters Local 492. After retiring and moving to Willard, he served as the mayor of Willard for a time, one term being won by a winning hand at poker when the election was tied. Dad wasn't one to sit back and allow the years to pass him by, he filled his days enjoying life by participating in the Senior Olympics and winning multiple medals and awards.Â