Edward Villegas Ornelas, “Eddie”, was born in Phoenix, AZ on Sept. 27, 1958, and
passed away at his home in Superior, AZ on Sept. 29, 2024, at the age of 66.
Eddie was the son of Eulalio “Lalo” and Beatriz “Tieche” Ornelas and grew up in Superior, AZ where he attended school and graduated SHS in the class of 1979. After high school, Eddie went to work at Kennecott Copper until he was laid off and eventually, he settled in with the Superior Unified School District in 1989. Eddie worked as a custodian in the Superior schools for several years.
He was married in 1994. During his marriage he relocated to Mesilla, New Mexico where he worked in the Residential Housing Department for New Mexico State University and raised his stepdaughter. Eddie divorced and returned to Superior and the Superior school district in 2002, until his retirement in 2020 after 23 years of service with SUSD. Eddie enjoyed his retirement watching sports and reminiscing with countless people he came across at the local bars and the store.
Eddie is survived by his stepdaughter, Mercy Gonzales; brother, Tony Ornelas; nephew, Adrian Coddington (Chris Munoz); niece, Mercedes (Tony) Castanon; and great-nephews, Marcus Romero and Andrew Mesa. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lalo and Tieche, and his sister, Carmen (Victor) Mesa.
Services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, 9:30 a.m., at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Superior, followed by interment of ashes at Fairview Cemetery and a luncheon at St. Mary’s Center.