Manuel Castillo, Sr.

Manuel Castillo, Sr., passed away peacefully while surrounded by the love of his family on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. He was born on May 27, 1948, in San Felipe, Mexico, to Juan Villegas and Sebastiána Estrada.

Manuel began working in the oil field at just 15 years old and spent his entire career as a backhoe operator. He was known as a hardworking man who took pride in doing his job well. Outside of work, Manuel had a natural talent for mechanics and enjoyed assembling and disassembling vehicles. He could fix just about anything with his hands and was always willing to lend his knowledge to those who needed it.

Manuel loved the simple pleasures in life. He enjoyed a plate of enchiladas, a cold Bud Light, and spending time with the people he loved most. He was a prankster with a quick wit who always knew how to make others laugh. He rarely had a negative word to say about anyone and never judged others. Instead, he was known for his caring heart, steady presence, and quiet wisdom. Though he was a man of few words, when he spoke, everyone listened.

Above all else, Manuel loved his family. He was the glue that held everyone together-the one family members turned to for advice, comfort, and encouragement. He always made sure those he loved were doing well and never hesitated to put their needs before his own. His unwavering love, strength, and kindness will continue to live on through the many lives he touched.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Maria De Los Angeles Venegas Negrete; his children, Guadalupe Iglesias and husband, Jose Carlos, Manuel Castillo, Jr. and wife, Santa, Maryann Castillo-Reyes and husband, Emiliano, and Lillie Castillo-Garcia; his grandchildren, Erica Cortez and husband, Noel, Jessica Ferrada, Ashley Castillo, Abbi Castillo, Adam Castillo, Alexander Castillo, Mario Reyes, Emilio Reyes, Kelsen Miguel Reyes, Arturo Reyes, Fabian Garcia, Lilliana Soto, Amelia Soto, and Lucas Soto; his great-grandchildren, Layla Cortez, Anthony Alba, Nora Cortez, Noel Cortez, Adalie Borders, Dalessa Hurtado, Noah Castillo, Jayden Castillo, and Fabian Rodriguez; his brothers, Primitivo Villegas and Felix Villegas; and his sisters, Sara Villegas and Cruz Villegas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Margarita Rodela-Castillo; his grandson, Bryson Borders; his brothers, Rafaela Villegas, Aurelio Villegas, Rito Villegas, and Salvador Villegas; and his sisters, Guadalupe Villegas, Asencion Villegas, and Maria Villegas.

A rosary service is scheduled for 6:00 P.M., Thursday, July 9, at Whitt Funeral Home. Funeral mass is planned for 2:00 P.M., Friday, July 10, at Assumption Catholic Church with Rev. Oby Zunmas officiating. Burial will follow in the Duncan Municipal Cemetery with Manuel Castillo Jr., Adam Manuel Castillo, Jose Carlos Iglesias, Mario Reyes, Emilio Reyes, and Alexander Castillo serving as pallbearers.

Online condolences can be made at www.whittfh.com.



Manuel Castillo, Sr. falleció en paz, rodeado del amor de su familia, el martes 7 de julio de 2026. Nació el 27 de Mayo de 1948 en San Felipe, México, hijo de Juan Villegas y Sebastiána Estrada.

Manuel comenzó a trabajar en los campos petroleros a la edad de 15 años y dedicó toda su vida laboral al oficio de operador de retroexcavadora. Era conocido por ser un hombre muy trabajador que se enorgullecía de hacer bien su trabajo. Fuera de su profesión, Manuel tenía un talento natural para la mecánica y disfrutaba armando y desarmando vehículos. Podía reparar casi cualquier cosa con sus propias manos y siempre estaba dispuesto a compartir sus conocimientos con quienes lo necesitaban.

Manuel disfrutaba de los placeres sencillos de la vida. Le gustaba un buen plato de enchiladas, una Bud Light bien fría y pasar tiempo con las personas que más amaba. Tenía un gran sentido del humor y le encantaba hacer bromas; con su ingenio siempre lograba hacer reír a los demás. Rara vez tenía algo negativo que decir de alguien y nunca juzgaba a los demás. Al contrario, era conocido por su gran corazón, su firme presencia y su sabiduría tranquila. Aunque era un hombre de pocas palabras, cuando hablaba, todos lo escuchaban.

Por encima de todo, Manuel amaba profundamente a su familia. Era el pilar que mantenía a todos unidos, la persona a quien la familia acudía en busca de consejo, consuelo y ánimo. Siempre se aseguraba de que sus seres queridos estuvieran bien y jamás dudó en poner las necesidades de ellos antes que las suyas. Su amor inquebrantable, su fortaleza y su bondad seguirán viviendo en las muchas vidas que tocó.

Le sobreviven para honrar y conservar su memoria su amada esposa, María de los Ángeles Venegas Negrete; sus hijos, Guadalupe Iglesias y su esposo, José Carlos; Manuel Castillo, Jr. y su esposa, Santa; Maryann Castillo-Reyes y su esposo, Emiliano; y Lillie Castillo-Garcia. También le sobreviven sus nietos: Erica Cortez y su esposo, Noel; Jessica Ferrada, Ashley Castillo, Abbi Castillo, Adam Castillo, Alexander Castillo, Mario Reyes, Emilio Reyes, Kelsen Miguel Reyes, Arturo Reyes, Fabian Garcia, Lilliana Soto, Amelia Soto y Lucas Soto; sus bisnietos: Layla Cortez, Anthony Alba, Nora Cortez, Noel Cortez, Adalie Borders, Dalessa Hurtado, Noah Castillo, Jayden Castillo y Fabian Rodriguez; sus hermanos, Primitivo Villegas y Felix Villegas; y sus hermanas, Sara Villegas y Cruz Villegas.

Fue precedido en la muerte por sus padres; su primera esposa, Margita Rodela-Castillo; su nieto, Bryson Borders; sus hermanos, Rafaela Villegas, Aurelio Villegas, Rito Villegas y Salvador Villegas; y sus hermanas, Guadalupe Villegas, Asención Villegas y María Villegas.

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