Hector Ismael Balderrama, 80, passed away Tuesday, June 02, in Fort Stockton. He was born in Terlingua on February 24, 1946. Hector loved participating in Special Olympics not only in Alpine, where he was raised, but also in Carlsbad, New Mexico, and in Fort Stockton. Hector did not need to practice for Special Olympics because he naturally loved walking. He would walk all over Alpine making new friends and catching up with old friends. Later in life, Hector formed a strong bond with birds, especially his beloved cockatiel Paco. His bond was so strong that even when he was in the nursing home, he would ask for Paco to pray for him.

Hector is preceded in death by his grandmother, who raised him, Mauricia Urquietta; his mother, Andrea; his father, Antonio; and his siblings, Roy and Manuel.

He is survived by his sister, Angelica and her husband, Carlos Miller Aguilar Jr.; sisters Hilda Garza and Nelda Villalva; brothers Billy Rodriguez and his wife, Sylvia, Oswaldo Villalva, Jaime Villalva and his wife, as well as Melvin, Mandel and Margie. Others left to cherish his memories are a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.