Ernest Joseph Villaverde, son of the late Bertha Ramirez Gomez and Ernest A. Villaverde, was born on October 17, 1951 in Superior, Arizona. He attended school in Superior and on September 4, 1971 he married his high school sweetheart, Terry Santa Maria. Together they raised their three children and lived their lives in their hometown.
Ernest went to work as a miner for the Magma Copper Company until it closed in 1982. He then spent the next several years as a test driver for General Motors. The last chapter of his working life was as a purchasing agent for APC Pallets. He was committed to his community and gave freely of his time. He volunteered with the Superior Little League, he spent years as a member of the Superior School Board, was a Sanitation Board member and a union representative for the United Steelworkers.
He was a dedicated family man who loved fishing and the outdoors. His passion was spending time with his grandsons, watching them grow, guiding them, and attending their various sporting events.
Ernest passed away peacefully surrounded by family on November 2, 2021. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Terry Villaverde, his children Ernest, Aaron (Vivian) and Julie (Sergio), his grandsons Roman, Nolan, Aden and Quintin and siblings Louie (Virgie), Fonso (Pam) and Juanita (Larry).
He was preceded in death by his mother Bertha Ramirez Gomez, his father Ernest A. Villaverde and his sister Loretta L. Saenz.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 13, 2021 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 490 Main Street, Superior, Arizona. Condolences may be offered from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. prior to the mass.