Derwin James Villanueva's Obituary
Derwin Villanueva, age 64, of Mililani, Hawaiʻi, passed away at Queen’s Medical Center - Wahiawā, surrounded by his family on April 29th, 2026.
It’s with deep sadness that we share the passing of Derwin James Villanueva.
Born September 26th, 1961, in Honolulu, Derwin grew up on Wong Lane in Kalihi and attended St. Theresa’s Catholic School. He would later attend and graduate from Pearl City High School (c/o 1979), where he would meet the love of his life and soulmate, Paula Lee. (He vividly remembers seeing her for the first time They met in Keyboarding Class, and he vividly remembered seeing Paula for the first time “in her blue sundress.” Derwin and PaulaThey married on November 7th, 1981, and went on to have four children who they would love and devote their lives too.
Following high school, Derwin immediately joined the United States Army where he entered service as an Avionics Helicopter Mechanic (35K). Throughout his 36 years in the armed forces, he would proudly serve as a Platoon Sergeant with the 442nd Infantry Regiment 100th Battalion (11B) and would later deploy as a Maintenance Supervisor (91X) during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was a true patriot and retired from military service in 2017.
The Army would take him across the globe, but wherever he was stationed, Derwin would find a home church to worship and fellowship. This includes Hawaiʻi, Washington State, Southern and Northern California. He most recently was a member of Grace Fellowship of Hawaiʻi.
Following his military retirement, Derwin’s “fun job” was with the Schofield Range Maintenance Division, where he’d always tell us, “I can’t believe I get paid to do this.” Derwin also had a passion for investing in real estate. In recent years, he was traveling to find new opportunities to invest for the family’s future. He was a “jack-of-all-trades” around the house — and a really good cook who loved to eat. Our family's sweet tooth comes from him.
Derwin loved God, his family, and friends with everything he had.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Paula Villanueva; his children, Jonathan (Dayna) Villanueva, Francesca (Micah) Herndon, Zachary (Courtney) Villanueva; and his 9 grandchildren; Bryson, Brennan, Nohealani, Aila, Taishi, Shayden, Dane, Hau’oli, and Bay. He was preceded in death by his father, Anastacio Villanueva; and his son, Daniel Villanueva.
Derwin's faith, dedication, wisdom, and unconditional love for all who knew him, will carry on through eternity. We find some solace in knowing that he has reunited with Jesus Christ and his firstborn son, Daniel Villanueva.
“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.” — 1 PETER 1:22
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