A rosary will be recited at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 9, 2006 at Ballard Funeral Chapel for Alex “Allie” W. Chavez a lifelong resident of Roswell, who passed away on July 6, 2006 at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center.  He was 87 years old.  A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 10, 2006 at Ballard Funeral Chapel. Fr. Paul Juniet O.F.M. of St. Peter’s Catholic Church will officiate.  Interment will follow the service at South Park Cemetery where the Roswell Honor Veterans Honor Guard will conduct military graveside services.

            Allie was born on November, 3, 1918 in Picacho, New Mexico to Pablo and Adelina Wilson Chavez.  He served our country in the U.S. Army during WWII and fought in numerous battles including the Battle of Dutch New Guinea, Philippine Island, and the Papaum Campaigns.  Upon his honorable discharge, he received many decorations including the Purple Heart with one oak leaf cluster for his duties. 

            On July 20, 1968 he married Teresa Sambrano in Roswell.  Together they raised their family of five and he went to work for the City of Roswell at the Sanitation Dept. and at the Roswell Zoo.  He was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, and the D.A.V. As a young man he loved to ride his horse “Ben”.  His favorite pastimes were visiting with family and friends, and enjoying a good wrestling match on T.V.  He was never a stranger to those he encountered.  He will be greatly missed by all of his family.

             His survivors are his children, Orlando Chavez of Plano, Texas, Alex Chavez, Jr. of Anehiem, CA., Mary Ann Navarrette of Roswell, Gloria Ann Duron of El Paso, Texas and Tony F. Chavez of Artesia, New Mexico, brother; Lloyd Chavez, and sisters; Jane Aragon of Roswell and Viola Chavez of San Francisco, CA..  He is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

            He was preceded in death by his parents,  his first wife Florinda Duran Chavez, his wife Teresa, and his sister Emma Casarez.

            Pallbearers will be Rene Duron Jr., Orlando Chavez Jr., Isaac Salazar, Gilbert Navarrette, Jim Palmer, and Antonio Torrez.  Honorary pallbearers will be his close friends, and loved ones.

            In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions can be made to the Roswell Veteran’s Honor Guard.

            Visitation will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday at Ballard Funeral Chapel.

            Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory.