Eliseo "Eli" Benavidez Padilla

Eliseo “Eli” Benavidez Padilla, 81, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Thursday, September 5, 2024. 

Eli was the oldest of eight children born to Adela and Eliseo Padilla in Las Cruces, NM on April 9, 1943. He graduated from Las Cruces High School in 1962. 

Eli was blessed with a large and loving family. Eli married Virginia Martinez and they were blessed with three children, Pete, Ray and Melissa. In Eli’s younger years, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, working out, and was known to be adventurous. Eli was a man of all trades and very handy as he did carpentry, plumbing, roofing, chain link fences and built his own house in 1970. 

Eli was employed with the City of Las Cruces where he was the supervisor of the Parks and Rec Department. He retired after completing 25+ years with the company. After retirement, Eli started his own business, Eli’s Sprinkler Services where he worked repairing sprinkler systems throughout Las Cruces. 

Eli was an active member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, gambling from time to time, and watching his San Francisco 49ers play football. 

Eli is preceded in death by his loving parents, Eliseo S. and Adela Padilla, his sister, Linda Padilla, brother, Gabriel Padilla, his brother-in-law Richard Nuanes, his wife Virginia Padilla and son, Pete Padilla. Eli is survived by his son Ray Padilla (Olivia) and daughter Melissa Padilla; 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 3 

great-great grandchildren; his sisters Gloria Nuanes of Albuquerque, NM and Priscilla Padilla of Las Cruces, NM, his brothers Steve Padilla (Dora), Frank Padilla (Susie) and Albert Padilla (Amanda) all of Las Cruces, NM, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. 

Eli was a deeply beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother, cousin and friend. He was a beacon of light and laughter to all who met him, and will forever reside in our hearts. 

Services will be held on Friday, September 27, 2024 at Our Lady of Purification Church in Dona Ana. Family Viewing will be at 9 am. Public viewing will be from 9:30-10:30, followed by Rosary at 10:30. Mass will begin at 11 am followed by burial at Dona Ana Cemetery. Pall bearers will be Eli Padilla, Peter Padilla, Anthony Padilla, Robert Munoz, Ernie Martinez and Albert Padilla Jr. Honorary pall bearers are Steven Banegas and Julian Padilla.