More detail on this person: Willieoran "Patch"
Mason, 75, passed away at local hospital in Del
Rio, Texas on May 16, 2012. He was born January
19, 1937 in Midway, Texas. He is survived by his
wife Minnie Mae Mason of Del Rio, TX; daughter:
Teresa Maldonado and her husband Eddie of
Austin, TX; sons: Mark Mason and his wife Sandra
of Schertz, TX, Steven Mason of San Antonio, TX;
stepson: Gary Martin VanAken Jr., and his wife
Mary of CA and stepson: Matthew S. VanAken and
his wife Paula of N.Y; sisters: Venora Pantaso and
Ann Zepeda all of San Antonio, TX; nine
grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He
faithfully served our nation in the US Army as
helicopter pilot from 1956 to 1978. While serving
our country Willie was shot down in Vietnam 5
times and was awarded the Silver Star for his
gallantry. He was also awarded National Service
Defense Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Republic of
Vietnam Campaign Medal; Republic of Vietnam
Cross of Gallantry/Palm; Armed Forces
Expeditionary Medal; Air Medal; Purple Heart; Army
Commendation Medal w/1 OLC and Good Conduct
Medal. Willie loved to ride motorcycles and fish.
He won numerous fishing tournaments and motor
cross events throughout his life. Willie and his
wife Minnie established "Patches Tackle" where
fishermen could always get a fair deal, great
information and a smile. Willie was preceded in
death by his father Holly and mother Isabel,
bother Carl Mason, sister Margaret Jordan, sister
in-law Sue Mason, bother in-laws Amedeo Pantuso
and Robert Jordon. Please join us at Ft Sam
Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach
Road San Antonio, TX 78209 on May 25, 2012 at
10:45am for a graveside service. Funeral
arrangements with:
G. W. Cox Memorial Funeral Home of Del Rio LTD
114 Fletcher Drive
Del Rio, Texas 78840
830 775-2000
Published in Express-News on May 24, 2012
Burial information: Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, TX
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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