Hector Elias Villa, 73

DOVER - Hector Elias Villa of Dover died Monday, Aug. 6, 2007, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was 73.

Mr. Villa was born in Medellin, Colombia.

He was an educator in several surrounding districts.

Mr. Villa graduated from Tusculum College in Greenville, Tenn., and completed his graduate studies in Spanish in Spain from the University of Northern Iowa.

He taught for the Capital School District for 34 years, teaching Spanish and coaching soccer.

Mr. Villa also taught Adult English as a Second Language for the Caesar Rodney School District for 25 years, and helped develop outreach ministries for migrant workers through the Delmarva Rural Ministries.

He traveled widely and enjoyed photography and coin and stamp collecting.

Mr. Villa was a dedicated father who cared for his family and was a member of the Victory Christian Fellowship Church of Dover.

He is survived by his wife, Emerita Villa; a daughter, Elsa Schmidt of Arizona; two sons, Hector Villa of Dover and Carlos Villa of Georgetown; four grandchildren; and three sisters, Flor Vargas and Amalia Navarro, both of Ohio, and Ofelia Castillo of California.

A memorial service will be 11:30 a.m. Friday at Victory Christian Fellowship Church, 18 Greenhill Ave., Dover.

Instead of flowers, contributions in Mr. Villa"s name can be made to World Vision International, 800 West Chestnut Ave., Monrovia, CA 91016.

Local arrangements by Torbert Funeral Chapels, Dover.