Vicente (Van) G. Vigil passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 18, 2016 in Tucson, Arizona. Vicente was born in Lincoln, New Mexico on May 28, 1925. He grew up in Douglas, Arizona and attended Douglas High School. Leaving school during World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served in the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, known as the famous "Screaming Eagles", for the remainder of World War II. On October 1, 1945 he married Lilian Thrasher in Penkhull, Stoke-on-Trent, England. After returning to Douglas for a short period of time, he reenlisted in the U.S. Army and served for 22 total years retiring in 1968. He returned to live and work in Douglas until retiring for a second time. His wife of more than 68 years, Lilian, his grandson, Zachary, and his parents, brothers and sisters preceded him in death. His five children survive him: Gary (Norma) of Ft. Worth, Texas; Gail of Douglas, Arizona; Timothy (Alison), Bruce and Andrew (Dawn) of Tucson, Arizona. Ten other grandchildren and eight great grandchildren also survive him. He was an avid coin collector and was a loving and caring "Poppa" to his grand and great grandchildren. He and Lilian loved to travel back to England to visit relatives and he especially loved attending reunions of the 101st Airborne Division and his comrades-in-arms from World War II. In his latter years, he demonstrated great compassion for Lilian, the love of his life, caring for her during her final years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any and all memorial remembrances are made to the Alzheimer's Association or any veterans' organization whose goal is to bring aid and comfort to our veterans. In accordance with their wishes, a joint memorial mass for Vicente and Lilian, will be held at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Douglas, Arizona on July 16, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. Immediately following the mass, please join the family in the parish hall. A private family internment will take place later that day.