Manuel Esparza

Manuel Esparza, age 104 of Gatesville, passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2025.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Scott's Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Restland Cemetery.  The family will receive visitors from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday at Scott’s Funeral Home.

Manuel Esparza was born at home in the Ames Community on July 11, 1920 to the late Epigmeñio and Marie Garcia Esparza. He attended Enterprise School in Ames, Texas through his eighth-grade year. He then worked on the farm for several years before being drafted into the United States Army Air Corps in 1942. During his military career, Manuel was responsible for the construction of landing strips in the Philippines and New Guinea. He left the Air Corps under honorable conditions on November 11, 1945, and went to Missouri where he worked as a cab driver and mechanic before returning to Gatesville. Manuel then attended G I school and learned carpentry skills, which he later used while building houses in and around the Gatesville area. Manuel was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed spending time outdoors with his brothers.

Manuel was preceded in death by his wife, Felda Esparza in 1999; parents; sister, Nellie Corona; and brothers, Andy, John, Robert, Joe and Lupe Esparza. 

He is survived by his son, Stan Esparza and wife, Alison; grandchildren, Peter Esparza and wife, Shawn, Mary Williamson and husband, Robert; and great grandchildren, Trevor and Makenna Esparza, and Gavin Williamson.