Lionel (Bud) Villalpando

TUBAC – Lionel Anthony Villalpando, known to everyone as Buddy, reluctantly left us all on August 18, 2023, after 87 years of unreal service to his family and friends.

Buddy was born in Jerome, Arizona on November 18, 1935, to Leo Villalpando and Josephine Carrera Villalpando. The family moved to Phoenix when he was four years old. After graduating from Phoenix Union High School, Buddy entered the Army in 1954. He quickly became a sergeant and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. He attended ASU and graduated with a BS in Business Administration.

Buddy married Eleanor Parker in 1957. They had four children: Mark, Janis, Julie, and Tom. He started working for Ducommun Metals, a distributor of metals and alloys to the aerospace industry and was with the firm for more than 25 years.

Bud loved ASU, hunting, golf, cutting horses, sport fishing, socializing, and, of course, the Sun Devils! He had a great interest in geography and history and learned everything he could about the subjects. Many people were “educated” by Buddy on the Southwest, Arizona, and particularly about Phoenix.

In 1987, he met Carol Erickson, always claiming she picked off Phoenix’s finest! In 2018, after retirement, Buddy and Carol moved to Tubac, AZ and owned Grumpy Gringo Fine Cigars with his son Mark and his wife, Claren. Buddy was a fixture on Grumpy’s porch and could always be found holding court, most likely with a scotch in his hand. His last years were spent regaling new friends with stories about Arizona, its history and his life.

Buddy is survived by his wife Carol Erickson, his sister Carrie Babina, his son Mark Villalpando (Claren Scott), his daughter Janis Villalpando, and his grandchildren Parker and Bryce Villalpando.

Donations can be made in Buddy’s name to:Santa Cruz Humane Society,232 E Patagonia Hwy, Nogales, AZ 85621.