Benito C. Gonzales, 66, passed away on Monday, March 2, 2009 at Audie L. Murphy Veteran Hospital in San Antonio, TX surrounded by his five sons.

He was born in Sebastian, TX on September 1, 1942 to Filomeno and Hipolita Castillo Gonzales.

He lived in Lyford all his life and graduated from Lyford High School in 1962.

He joined the U.S. Army where he served in Hawaii and Vietnam and was honorably discharged on November 1966.

On December 1, 1966, he married Juanita Rodriguez Gonzales and had five sons, Benito Gonzales, Jr. (Nancy), Juan Filomeno (Johnny) Gonzales, (Tonia) Rodney Gonzales, Durel Gonzales (Laura), and Daryl Bejay Gonzales.

In 2008 he was blessed with his two beloved granddaughters, Aleena Iliana Gonzales and Caitlin Marie Gonzales.

Surviving him are two brothers, Francisco Gonzales of Harlingen and Jose Angel Gonzalez (Isabel) of Corpus Christi, TX also numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four sisters, Maria Becerra, Lucinda Ramirez, Maria Guadalupe Gonzales and Carmen Tijerina and one brother, Pedro "Pete" Perez.

Visitation began at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, at Duddlesten Funeral Home Chapel. A rosary was recited at 7 p.m. on Thursday evening.

Funeral mass was celebrated at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2009 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Lyford. With burial following at Guadalupe Cemetery, full military honors were conducted at graveside.

Honored to serve as pallbearers as per their father's wish were his five sons, Benito, Jr., Johnny, Rodney, Durel, Daryl Bejay and his nephew, Jose Benito Perez.

Funeral arrangements under the direction of Duddlesten Funeral Home. 10-1TP

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