William Leyendecker Bustillo
June 12, 1951 - April 7, 2024
William “Willie” Leyendecker Bustillo was born June 12, 1951 in San Antonio, Texas to Rudolph and Mary Bustillo. He was a true son of the Southside of San Antonio and a proud resident of the Bustillos Drive neighborhood. Willie took great pride in living on the land granted to his ancestor Jose Domingo Esteban Bustillos after serving as the alcalde (mayor) of San Antonio in 1816. Willie was also a 9th-generation descendant of Joseph Padron, one of the original Canary Islanders who founded the first civil government in Texas, the Villa de Bejar (San Antonio). Willie was a member of the Canary Islanders Descendants Association (CIDA), and he took great pride in his family history and worked to keep it alive for the younger generations.
Willie graduated from Harlandale High School as a part of the class of 1969. The rebellious spirit of his graduating class lived on in Willie for decades to come. He also earned an associate’s degree from St. Philip’s College.
Willie was an avid fisherman and hunter and loved sharing his pastime with those whom he loved. His boys fondly remember fishing trips to Bob Hall pier in Corpus Christi and deep sea fishing for king fish from dawn until dusk. Willie was known to always catch the most redfish. He was sure to teach all his children how to draw hunter bows and properly handle firearms. During one of his last visits with his children and grandchildren, Willie took everyone shooting creating a lifetime of memories down through generations.
Wow, did Willie have collections! Starting from a young age, baseball cards were his “currency” that he would exchange with his brothers. Then came coins, Beanie Babies, random car parts in his parent’s garage, and vinyl records. Always looking for the newest collection, Willie was sure to showcase his collections and be up for a deal, if you dared.
Growing up, Willie had a love for classic cars. Known for identifying any car he could see driving down the road, Willie shared his car knowledge with all his friends and family. Always ready to share car repair or car-buying advice, Willie’s sons followed in his footsteps with an appreciation for cars and their rebuilds. When his sons showed an interest in car repairs, Willie took them shopping for stereo systems and tools to “create” their dream rides.
Willie was known for being passionate, opinionated, and most of all, authentic. In true Bustillo fashion, Willie enjoyed sitting around with his sons, daughter, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren to share his “Bustillo life advice and wisdom.” With a warm fire and cold beer in hand, everyone knew that story time was bound to bring plenty of laughs and maybe some tears. Whether he shared life advice or a shoulder to cry on, Willie knew how to speak to our hearts.
Willie was husband to Lynne Lopez; the proud father of three children, William Jr. (Jessica), Robert (Nicole), and Andrea; and grandfather to Payton, Harlyn, Autumn, Jynsyn, and Liam. He was the middle brother to Rudolph Jr. and Freddie; brother-in-law to Gloria, Fred, Grace, Glenda (Jim), Ramona, Larry, Harold [deceased]; and uncle to Cynthia, Michelle, Marisa, Anneliese, Kristen, Lori, Michael, Matthew, Robert, Anthony, April, Bobbie, Jesse, Jessika, John, Matthew, and Heather.
Please join the family for services at Delgado Funeral Home on April 20,2024 at 4:00pm-6:30pm for a viewing, rosary (beginning at 5pm), and fellowship hour. Per Willie’s request, no ties. Just toss on jeans and a t-shirt to celebrate a great life.