With heartfelt sadness, we said goodbye to our husband, father, Papa and friend on January 9, 2019. Louis “Lou” Villierme, a longtime resident of Escalon, CA, passed away with his loving bride of 65 years and children by his side at the age of 88.
Lou was born in San Francisco, CA to Louis H. Villierme and Emilia Rusconi. At the age of 2, following the passing of their mother, Lou and his brothers moved to their father’s native country. It was in Tahiti where Lou spent his childhood, returning to the United States years later. He loved traveling back to Tahiti over the years, visiting family, friends and relaxing on the islands. Anyone who knew Lou knew how proud he was of his Tahitian heritage. Likewise, he was just as proud to be an American.
Lou enlisted in the Marine Corps and served his country in the Korean War. Upon completing his service, he returned to California where he pursued the love of his life, Lila MacDannald. Soon they were married and were blessed with five children.
Lou was a true gentleman that loved his family and friends. He was a man of few words that lived his life with honesty and integrity. Lou was stoic and brave and had an amazing work ethic that drove him beyond some hardships early in life. He was forever loyal to those he loved and would lend a hand to those in need, always with a warm smile, never asking for anything in return. He became a San Francisco 49ers fan after attending the team’s very first game played in San Francisco with his father, uncles and a brother.
Lou was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Henry and Emile Villierme; Jim Selby, a true friend whom he called brother; and his beloved daughter, Cheryal Villierme. Though gone, but never forgotten, Lou’s legacy of optimism, hard work and unwavering love for his family will continue on within his children: Jim Villierme (Denise), Danell Van Laar (Curtis), Debbie Lamke (Christopher), Chris Visser (Clay), Alain LeBihan (Vitorine), his 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring to honor and remember Lou. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Community Hospice House, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356 or your favorite charity.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
Feb. 13, 2019
