In Loving Memory of

TSgt. Willie T. Acuna, U.S. Air Force, Ret.

May 20, 1935 – August 7, 2026

TSgt. Willie T. Acuna, U.S. Air Force, Ret., age 91, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family.

Willie was born on May 20, 1935, in San Antonio, Texas, to Aurelio Acuna and Clarita (Trevino) Acuna. As the oldest of nine children, Willie learned at an early age the meaning of family, responsibility, hard work, and perseverance. Those qualities would remain with him throughout his entire life.

Early Years

Willie grew up on Pleasanton Road in San Antonio, where his father owned A.M.A. Acuna and Sons Garage and Wrecker Service, located next to the original Pan American Restaurant at 720 Pleasanton Road and Koepke. The garage was also the family home. From a young age, Willie worked alongside his father, learning the mechanics of automobiles and the value of an honest day's work. He also worked as a waiter for Mr. Ruben Salazar, owner of the original Pan American Restaurant.

While attending Morrill Elementary School, Willie became fascinated with the United States Air Force. His third-grade teacher's husband would often visit the classroom wearing his military uniform. He was an Air Force officer and pilot, and Willie was captivated by the uniform, the aircraft, and the sense of purpose he saw in the officer. Willie knew at a young age that one day he, too, wanted to serve in the Air Force.

He continued his education at Harlandale Middle School. Later, his father moved the family to Michigan to work as migrant laborers. As the oldest son, Willie continued helping his family until, at the age of 17, he asked his parents for permission to enlist in the United States Air Force.

A Life of Service

In 1953, Willie entered the US Air Force fire protection field and began firefighter training at Pepperrell Air Force Base in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. Upon graduating that same year, he began a distinguished career as an Air Force firefighter.

Willie never stopped learning or challenging himself. He began as a fire protection hand lineman and worked his way through numerous positions of increasing responsibility. He became a driver for crash rescue vehicles, a Crew Chief for crash rescue vehicles and structural fire units, and later a fire prevention inspector. He served as a Crew Chief at several bases throughout the United States and Europe.

In 1966, Willie volunteered for a three-year controlled tour and was selected to serve as a Military Training Instructor at Lackland Air Force Base in his hometown of San Antonio. During this assignment, he was promoted to Technical Sergeant (TSgt.), E-6.  In 1970, he served as Deputy Fire Chief, continuing a career dedicated to protecting and serving his fellow airmen and their families.

During his military career, Willie served his country in Canada, Greenland, Germany, Libya, Spain, and Korea. He continued his education while serving, attending the University of Maryland and San Antonio College.

After nearly 20 years of honorable service, Willie retired from the United States Air Force on December 1, 1972. His devotion to his country never ended with retirement. During the First Gulf War in 1991, Willie wrote to the Air Force offering to reenlist to help with the war effort. The Air Force responded that they greatly appreciated his willingness to serve once again, but regretfully was not accepting retirees for reenlistment. That letter said much about Willie. Serving his country was never simply a career to him—it was a calling.

Family, Work and a Dream Fulfilled

After retiring from the Air Force, Willie returned to the family business, A.M.A. Enterprises, where he worked as shop foreman and handled sales. True to his humble nature, Willie often described himself as a "Jack of all trades, master of none—but oftentimes better than a master of one."

He continued working for another 25 years before fully retiring at the age of 62. In 1981, Willie married Gracie, beginning a loving marriage that lasted 45 years and brought together a blended family of five children. Soon after their marriage, and with Gracie's encouragement and support, Willie set out to fulfill a dream that had first inspired him as a young boy—the dream of becoming a pilot.

After attending ground school at San Antonio College and completing numerous hours of flight instruction, Willie achieved his first solo flight on Friday, August 13, 1982. He was especially proud of that accomplishment. One of his fondest memories was flying over the family's home on Pinehurst and gently rocking the airplane's wings from side to side so that Gracie and the children would know it was him—and that he was okay. It was a simple gesture, but it captured Willie perfectly: even while pursuing his dreams, he was always thinking about the people he loved.

A Life of Community and Faith

Willie believed in being involved, giving back, and being there for others. Throughout his life, he served his community in many ways. He was a baseball coach, soccer dad, Scoutmaster, PTA member, and officer of the Kingsborough Neighborhood Association. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). His faith was an important part of his life, and he participated in Mission San Jose ACTS and men's Bible study.

Willie and Gracie also shared a love of travel and adventure. Together, they traveled throughout the United States by car and motor home, often taking trips with close friends from their neighborhood. They enjoyed the mountains of Colorado, the hills of South Dakota, the New England states, historic Virginia, and journeys from the California coast to the coast of Florida. Their travels also took them to Canada, including Vancouver, Montreal, and Niagara Falls. For Willie and Gracie, the journey was as meaningful as the destination. They created memories with family and friends that will be treasured for generations.

His Family and Legacy

Willie's greatest pride, however, was his family.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Francisco Martinez and Dionicia Benavides Trevino; his parents, Aurelio Acuna and Clarita Trevino Acuna; and his sister, Viola Acuna Beal; brothers, Johnny T. Acuna, Henry T. Acuna, Ernest T. Acuna, and Antonio Acuna.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Gracie A. Acuna; his sons, Charles, Marc, and Carlos; his daughters, Clara and Michelle; his grandchildren, Andrew, Emily, Marcus, Victoria, Matthew, Sophia, Phoenix, and Elise; and his great-grandchildren, Vivian, Lilyanna, and Montae Ellis.

He is also survived by his brother, Aurelio Acuna, and his sisters, Gloria Gonzales (Jerome), Patsy A. Martinez (Ernest), and Yolanda Acuna, along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Willie leaves behind far more than a list of accomplishments. He leaves behind the example of a man who worked hard, served his country proudly, loved his family deeply, pursued his dreams, strengthened his community, and never stopped being willing to help others. From a young boy working beside his father in a family garage, to an Air Force firefighter serving around the world; from a Military Training Instructor and Deputy Fire Chief, to a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, coach, Scoutmaster, neighbor, friend, and pilot—Willie's life was one of service, determination, faith, family, and love.

His family will forever remember his stories, his humor, his adventurous spirit, his willingness to lend a hand, and the pride he took in the people he loved.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the many "Care Angels" of Heart to Heart Hospice, especially nurses: John Sharkey and Andy Cox; aide, Martin Gomez and his home caregiver, Cindy Torres, for the compassion, kindness, dignity, and loving care they provided to Willie and his family.

He served his country.
He served his family.
He served his community.
And he lived a life worth remembering.

May he rest peacefully, knowing how deeply he was loved

and how greatly he will be missed.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Monday, August 17, 2026

Visitation will begin at 5:00pm

Rosary to be recited at 6:00pm

The Angelus Funeral Home Chapel

1119 N. St. Mary's St.

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Funeral Mass will be offered at 9:30am

St. Philip of Jesus Catholic Church

Interment will follow in

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with military honors.

Shelter #2

In Lieu of Flowers

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the

American Cancer Society or to

a charity of the donor's choice in Willie's name.