Jose Antonio Villegas born on September 8, 1976 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic to Marcial B. Villegas and Melania Ramirez. Jose attended grade school P.S. 193 in the Bronx, from which he graduated the eighth grade. He went on to graduate from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1994.
In November 1995, Jose had his first-born child, Melanie A. Villegas. In February 1996, he married Yudelka Camacho-Villegas and together they have 2 children, Jose Armando Villegas and Diana Villegas. His siblings are Jesus A. Severino, Marcia Villegas, Marcial B. Villegas, Miguel A. Villegas, Misael Jr. Silva, Alejandro Silva, and Melanio Silva.
In July of 1996, Jose enlisted the United States Marine Corps. Upon graduation from recruit training in February 1997 and completing Marine Combat Training, he was promoted to Private First Class (PFC). By July 1997, PFC Villegas graduated top of his class and was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal. In September 1998, LCpl Villegas reported to the 1st Marine Air Wing, Iwakuni, Japan for Duty. After completion of this tour, he was promoted to Sergeant in January 2000. In May 2003 Sgt Villegas was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom in the city of Fallujah. Upon his return, Staff Sergeant Villegas became a Marine Corps Recruiter in South Florida from December 2006 to September 2009. While on recruiting duty, he was promoted to his present rank of Gunnery Sergeant in November 2007. He then went on to complete two combat tours to Afghanistan and in 2013 was assigned to Ground Supply School as the MOS 3052 Instructor.
In September 2017 GySgt Villegas retired from the Marine Corps after 21 years of faithful and dedicated service. His awards include the Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, and the Navy Unit Commendation Medal.
Jose A. Villegas, passed away surrounded by his family on Thursday, April 18, 2018 at New Hanover Medical Center, Wilmington NC. He was 41 years of age. The visitation will be held Tuesday April 24th 2018 from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx NY 10471. Interment is scheduled for 11:30 am Wednesday at Woodlawn Cemetery.