Born to Porfirio & Dolores (Rivera) Villanueva on January 30, 1943 in Flatonia, Texas.

He met Juanita (Janie) Garcia Lopez in 1960 and together they started a family that would become his pride and joy. Although Martin and Janie lived apart for many years, they were united in the love they shared for their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

What Martin lacked in education, he made up with common sense and hard work. He, along with his parents and siblings, would travel as migrant farmers working the fields that were in season. Later he would go on to work as a tire repairman at Goodyear Tire in La Grange. For several years he drove a Peterbilt for an oil company. He worked as a property manager until becoming semi-retired, at which time he did odd jobs that included: fence repairs, mowing fields and lawns, weed eating, and minor home repairs.

He spent his mornings drinking his coffee while listening to the Trading Post and Country Store on the radio in hopes of hearing about an item that was too good of a deal to pass up. His afternoons were spent watching the judges on TV. If there wasn't a ball game on television, he would watch the old westerns. Sometimes he would just sit and visit with his children or grandchildren and sing along to a favorite song he heard playing.

He had an uncanny knack of coming up with nicknames for everyone. He could also come up with one-liners that would not make any sense to anyone else but always seemed to fit the occasion perfectly. He remained active with work until a couple of months before his death. For him, his children and grandchildren were his life. He was at home in peace when he took his final breath.

Martin is survived by; Juanita (Janie) Garcia Lopez, daughter Linda and husband James Polasek of Ellinger, son Ricky and wife Tina, daughter Grace Villanueva both of La Grange, son Mark and wife Melissa of Arlington, son Valentine and wife Jennifer, daughter Rachel Villanueva, son Martin Jr. and wife Perla, son Jason Villanueva, daughter Crystal and husband Rodo Tovar all also from La Grange, Travis Lopez of Hondo; 38 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren with 2 more expected in March; sisters Teodora Tobar of La Grange, Ascension and Francisco Morales of La Grange, Juanita (Janie) and George Herrera of Smithville; along with numerous any nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, son John Martin, stepson Joe G. Lopez, grandson Xavier Villanueva, brother Fidencio Villanueva, sisters Bonifacia Perez, Julia Garcia, Catarina Mireles, Petra Quintero, and Frances Quintero.

Memorials can be made to a charity of choice.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are James Polasek, Mark Villanueva, Chris Villanueva, Joe Villanueva, Rodo Tovar and Martin Villanueva, Jr.

Services are under the Care and Direction of Fayette Memorial Funeral Home of La Grange Texas. Please visit www.fayettememorialfuneralhome.com to share memories and leave your condolences for the family.