On July 18, 1930, Ramon Goleta De Villa was born unto Porferia Goleta and Felix de Villa at Nabua, Camarines Sur. He was the eldest child of ten. He received elementary and high school education at Nabua. Being the eldest grandson, he enjoyed the love and affection showered upon him by his dotting grandparents.
Ramon was in grade school when the WW II broke out in 1942. During those times, to possess a gun is crime. Hence the Japanese soldiers trooped down to interrogate Felix de Villa to produce the gun they suspected that he owns. Due to the fact that Felix does not own one angered the Japanese soldiers and commanded Felix to dig up his own grave and tried to bury him alive thereat. Ramon interfered and he was kicked and hit with a rifle bat although crying out that his father never owned a gun. The Japanese realizing that he was telling the truth, apologized and spared his father’s life.
He was traumatized by the said event which prompted him to join the guerilla movement. Hundreds of thousands of men, young and old joined the anti-Japanese movement. In 1946, he was honorably discharged from the service.
Ramon returned to Nabua to complete high school education. He proved to be an active student leader where he was elected as class president and secretary to the student council. He also became a PMT cadet officer and participated in the district competition on tactical inspection competition.
In 1953, he went to college at the University of the East, Manila and took up Dentistry. Realizing that his dream to become a dentist will be financially difficult, he became a working student and changed course from Dentistry to Commerce. He became a staff of then Congressman Felix Fuentebella Sr. and was extremely grateful to him for having given him a break to work and study at the same time.
In June 1959, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He attended boot camp in San Diego, California. Later he attended Steward School and graduated top ten of the class. With this achievement he was given the privileged to choose his next duty station.
He chose Hawaii and was assigned to Makalapa BOQ COMSERVPAC/CINOPACFLT Senior Officers mess. He became a bartender at the Senior Officers bar lounge, and Senior Officers residence.
He changed his name from Ramon to Ray following his US naturalization.
A prospective Commanding Officer of USS Hassayampa AOR 145 requested Ramon to become his personal Steward with a promise to change his rate. He did not hesitate and accepted the offer. The commanding officer fulfilled his promise including an order for Ramon to attend class A school for yeoman. He declined and went on the job training. Months later he took an examination for promotion to 3rd class and made it. The next examination for second class thru the recommendation again, he passed.
In 1966, ordered to COMPLEACT, Sasebo, Japan. He was then responsible for reviewing correspondences prepared for the commander/chief of staff for his signature, completeness, accuracy, and compliance. He Serializes and dates on all outgoing correspondences. Aside from that, he issues Security Clearances and maintain appropriate records concerning military personnel.
On 1969, he received orders to Vietnam. He attended SERE training in Coronado and Camp Pendleton. Upon arrival in Vietnam assigned to MACV J-4, Headquarters Military Assistance Vietnam, a Joint Command under a two star General Conroy. He was In charge of the Assistant Chief of Staff, J-4, Message Center. He handled documents classified as TOP SECRET.
On 1970, he was transferred to USS Witchita AO-1 as Ship Secretary. On December 1972, he was transferred to COMSERVPAC, assigned as TOP SECRET/SECRET control Yeoman.
Later he was transferred to FLELOGSUPPRON FIFTY [VRC 50], Commander Fleet Logistic Support Squadron Fifty and became the Assistant Supervisor and Department Training Petty Officer. He was responsible for the preparation of the squadron instructions, notices, and National Agency Check [NAC], Background Investigation [BI] for determination updating for issuance of personnel clearances in the Squadron Personnel Reliability Program. His last duty station until transferred to the Fleet Reserve after serving twenty years of honorable service was on March 27, 1979.
Ray garnered quite a number of United States Navy Achievements, to wit:
5 – time Good Conduct Award Sailor of the Month and Sailor of the Year Award Expeditionary Medal [Vietnam] National Defense Service Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal with Devise 1960 Vietnam Service Medal with one silver Star and One Bronze Star Army Commendation Medal Joint Service Commendation Medal Navy Unit Commendation, SaigonOn 1985, he joined the Federal government service in the US Naval Forces at Subic Bay, Philippines as management assistant. During the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, military spouses, civilian employees were evacuated to the United States. He assumed the position of Director Administrative Division until the U.S. Forces pulled out in November 1992.
Lowering the American Flag in front of COMUSNAVPHIL building terminated the US Forces in the Philippines. As a displaced employee three months later he was given a position in Guam as Loss Prevention Specialist at the US Naval Depot, Guam from 1993 to 1994.
His resplendent service with the US Federal government earned him the following achievements:
While he was in government service, he also became interested in socio-civic organizations, specifically Rotary Club International where he became the top President of District 3790 on1989 to 1990. Among the achievements he received were:
Community Service Appreciation Medical Mission Appreciation Career Guidance Counseling Outstanding Club [RCO] of the DistrictRay enjoyed retirement in the comfort of his family in Olongapo City. He started a restaurant business in 1997 and later closed operations in 2001. He left for the United States in 2002 with his wife Thelma. He worked briefly for Eisenhower Medical Center and retired at the age of 78.
Ray was diagnosed of urinary bladder cancer on July 2011 in the United States and was subsequently operated on November of the same year. He was declared with ZERO CANCER and was given a clean bill of health even with a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis and even cleared him to travel overseas.
Upon his arrival on December 2011 in the Philippines his health deteriorated with markedly general body pain and pain in his lower limbs subjecting him to be confined at St. Luke’s Medical Center on January 2012 for four days hospital stay. He was given a complete battery of sophisticated diagnostic examinations thereat and still did not find any cancer recurrence. He was given mega doses of Oxycodone which he administers on his own at will thereby affording him to manage his pain. He was discharged and returned to Subic with notable discomfort in this 3 – hour car drive.
His pain progressed without let up that he was re-admitted at Baypointe Hospital in Subic Bay Freeport Zone for ten days. He was bedridden since he was discharged following a final diagnosis by his hematologist that he was inflicted with bone marrow cancer and bone cancer.
On January 30, 2012 at 5 in the morning, he was rushed to Baypointe Hospital due to sudden onset of difficulty of breathing. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. He was hooked to a ventilator. He expired on January 31, 2012 at 6:30 in the morning.
He was survived by his wife, Thelma and their children: Raynette, Ray Jr., Martha Johanna, Raychelle Lynn, Melissa and Ray Michael; his sons-in-law: Anthony, Joel and Mark and his grandchildren: Charmaine, Kirstien Hans, Kyle Antony, Alyka Danielle and Mason Isaac.
