Linda Gail Villareal
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Linda's obituary
Beloved Wife, Mother, Nana, and Friend
Linda Gail Villareal was born on March 31, 1961, in Dallas, Texas, to B.H. Miller and Ima Jean Wallace, both of whom preceded her in death. She grew up in Gainesville, Texas, and Thackerville, Oklahoma. She was the heart and soul of her family, including her sisters Carolyn Pierce (Jim), Judy Hamilton, Debbie Ellis (Lester), Sheila Cox (Jim), and Vickie Miller (Dillo), and her brothers Joe Wallace (Penny) and Kurt Stange (Angela) & of course, her best friend and honorary ‘seeester’ Darlene Martin (Chris).
She graduated from Callisburg High School, where she was voted Most Witty and earned the nickname “Boom Boom”—because she had big….. eyes. Ha! With her fiery red curls, an infectious smile, and a laugh that could light up any room, Mom wasn’t just someone you met—she was someone you felt, someone you never forgot.
But the moment she met Dad, David, the love of her life, everything fell into place. Together, they built a beautiful life in Hudson Bend on Lake Travis in Austin, Texas, where they raised their two daughters, Desi and Anna. Mom was the kind of mother who loved with her whole heart and protected with her whole soul. She was kind, selfless, and full of warmth—but if you messed with her kids or grandkids, she would show you firsthand what a true fiery redhead was all about.
Her laugh was infectious. She always had a smile on her face and she fiercely loved Jesus. If she loved you, you can bet she prayed for you. If she liked you, she prayed for you. If she didn’t like you, well, she still prayed for you.
Mom loved live music and she loved to dance like nobody was watching. She was a badass pool player, running tournaments on Thursdays at Big Dave’s Dam Saloon for years alongside Dad. Each year, they helped organize Big Dave’s Toy Run, a legendary event where a record shattering amount of bikers came together to bring toys to orphans in downtown Austin for Christmas. Mom never hesitated to help anyone, no matter the time, distance, or need—if she loved you, she showed you. If you got in her convertible Miata, you know you’d hear one of two artists immediately play- MercyMe “I can only imagine” or Bob Dylan “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35”… heaven on earth to her was a perfectly rolled one and her bible.
She and Dad had an adventurous spirit, a love for traveling, and an even bigger love for bringing people along for the ride. Whether it was introducing someone to new experiences, taking the scenic route just because, or teaching others what life was truly about, they lived life to the fullest and wanted others to do the same.
But if there was one role that defined Mom more than anything, it was being a Nana. That was her truest, happiest self. First with Charlie Thier, then Chance Thier, William Ellis, Chander Thier, Zoey Jayne Grojean, Madison Ellis, and Jayden Grojean—they were the center of her universe. With Nana, there was never enough ice cream for breakfast, never too many suckers, and never too much love.
On March 1, 2017, God took her home far too soon, and we’ll never understand why. But Mom always told us:
“Don’t cry for me when I’m gone, because I’ll be doing cartwheels with Jesus in heaven.”
Mom, it’s been eight years, and not a single day has passed that we don’t miss you. You were the glue that held us together, and the lessons you taught weren’t just words—you lived them, and we carry them with us every day. I pray that you and Dad are doing cartwheels up there, laughing like always.
Save a seat for us.
“We love you too much!”
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