Jose Antonio Villahermosa's Obituary
Jose Antonio Villahermosa, 69 years old, passed away on April 16th, 2025, in Tacoma, WA.
A celebration of life memorial will be held on April 26th, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at Mountain View Funeral Home, located at 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W., Lakewood, WA, in the Garden Chapel. Jose’s family is requesting that anyone attending his memorial, please dress in a casual tropical shirt or dress as that is what he loved.
Jose Antonio Villahermosa was born in Perigueux, France on June 11th, 1955, although anyone who knew him knew the pride he had in coming from a Puerto Rican heritage. He was pure “Boricua” and was always proud to claim that special native term.
He was a 1973 graduate of Lakes High School in Lakewood Washington where he competed on the varsity team in Gymnastics. He was also involved in the school choir where his beautiful voice continued to grow and shine as he polished those skills to become a professional musician.
He was married to Joann Hammock on July 22nd, 2017, until his untimely death. He is survived by his spouse, Joann, his two children, Carmen Villahermosa and Brian Villahermosa, Jennifer Wilson who he loved as a daughter, his mother, Herminia Villahermosa, his siblings, Miguel A. Villahermosa (Keely), Carmen L. Villahermosa de Cox, (David), Gilberto Villahermosa (Natalie), and Jesus M. Villahermosa, Jr. (Michelina). He was preceded in death by his father, Jesus M. Villahermosa, a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and a grandson.
Jose worked at Pierce Transit for 20 years and was last employed at the Emerald Queen Casino as a Security Officer. He loved working there and made lasting friendships with those with whom he worked.
Jose was a true guitar troubadour as during his younger years he would hitchhike and travel to different parts of the country playing guitar and singing for anyone who would listen. Through his unbelievable guitar and singing skills he would calm anxious souls, celebrate special occasions, romanticize those in love at their weddings and get his friends and family through tough times. His guitar skills were unmatched by anyone we had ever seen and were equivalent to famous guitar players like Jose Felciano, James Taylor and Jim Croce just to name a few.
Jose was a social magnet to those around him and he was the kind of person who would give you the shirt off of his back and the shoes he was wearing if you needed them. His heart was HUGE, and he loved making people feel good wherever he was.
Jose’s musical talents, gregarious laugh and crazy pranks and jokes will be greatly missed by our family and his friends. As Vince Gill once said, “Go rest high on that mountain. Son, your work on earth is done. Go to Heaven a shouting, Love for the Father and the Son”.
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