Gilberto (Gil) Gonzales Silvas Sr. 76 gained his wings and went to heaven on September 13, 2017. Gilberto was born on November 16, 1940 to Aurelia Gonzales and Vincent V. Silva. He was a proud and loving father, husband and Popo. Gil had a passion the outdoors, he loved hunting and fishing. After Gil and Phyllis retired they took to the road and traveled together. Gil joined the US Army in 1957 and retired as Sergeant First Class in 1979 after serving 21 years. He proudly served and fought for his country in Vietnam for two tours where he was wounded and received a Purple Heart. After retiring from the military Gil worked 18 years civil service at CCAD retiring in 1997 from the Defense Logistic Agency. While serving in the military he became pen pals with a young lady in Hawaii. He fell in love with his pen pal, on October 21, 1961 he married the love of his life Phyllis Marques. He was a life-time member of both the American Legion Post 364 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8932. He was a proud Veteran. Mr. Silvas is preceded in death by his father Vicente V. Silva, mother Aurelia G. Guevara, sister Linda Martin and brother Reynaldo Rivera. He is survived by his loving wife Phyllis of 55 years, children Gilberto (Sharon) Silvas Jr., Cynthia (Cameron) Fairbanks, Daniel Silvas, and Michelle Silvas. Grandchildren Jesse Rodriguez, Christina Rodriguez, Chandrina (Aaron) Alaniz, Adrian Silvas, Nicole Fairbanks, Sabrina Silvas, Miranda Bovadilla, Bryce Silvas, Hayden Fairbanks and Mikayla Bovadilla and great-grandchildren Carmen Rodriguez, Jazmin Rodriguez, Sophia Alaniz, Abel Silvas, Isabella Hawes and Audrey Alaniz. Brothers Rey (Clarrisa) Silva, Vicente (Esmeralda) Silva, Sisters Mary Lou Villarreal, Sylvia Archie, Becky (Abel) Perez, Rachel (Ruben) Garcia, Connie Silva, Uncle Arturo Gonzales and Aunt Mickey Ortiz. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and an abundance of friends. There will be a visitation September 17, 2017 at Guardian Funeral at 5pm with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. The funeral mass will take place September 18 at Christ The King Catholic Church at 11:30 a.m with the burial to follow at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery at 1 p.m.