Josef Villiger

JOSEF ALBERT VILLIGER of North Little Rock peacefully passed away December 15, 2017 at the age of 90. He was born on April 10, 1927 in Rothenburg, Switzerland to Josef and Sophie Villiger and was the oldest of four children. He was a member of the Swiss Army before coming to America in 1954 and setting up a successful ironworks business, MetalCraft Company, which he operated for over 30 years in North Little Rock. He was known for building spiral stairs and other ornamental ironworks for homes and commercial customers all over Arkansas. He also invested in real estate and managed a number of commercial and residential properties, and received a law degree from LaSalle University.

After a seven-year courtship - mainly via handwritten letters - Joe returned to Switzerland in 1961 to marry the former Agnes Schmid and bring her to the U.S. Their marriage lasted over 56 years, and their son Josef Carl Villiger was born in 1964. Joe is survived by his wife, Agnes; son Joe, daughter-in-law Debra, and beloved granddaughters Jenna and Emma of Sherwood; sisters-in-law Jackie Villiger of Tucson, Arizona, and Ursula Schmid of Switzerland; brothers-in-law Silvano Semola and Joe (Teres) Schmid of Switzerland; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Erwin Villiger and Walter Villiger; sister Garda Villiger; sisters-in-law Margrit Semola-Schmid and Trudy Villiger; and brother-in-law Xaver Schmid.

Joe was a former member of St. Mary Catholic Church and a current member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, both in North Little Rock. Over the years, he was active in the Knights of Columbus, serving as a member of the Fourth Degree Honor Guard; German-American Club; and Elks Lodge.

Joe loved to play his accordion, work hard, dance, drink wine, and travel. He spoke three languages and continued to speak Swiss-German at home, even after being in America for over 60 years. He had a life-long curiosity for knowledge and never quit learning new things - he read constantly, taught himself how to use a Mac computer in his eighties, and regularly exercised his mind through memorization techniques. He was strong (and strong-willed!). He was tough, and yet tender, and will be deeply missed by his family and friends who will cherish his memory.

The family would like to thank Dr. Kelli Sanders and Baptist Health Hospice (including Dee Dee, Kristie, Gayle, and Mary) for their loving care. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association in Little Rock or Immaculate Conception Church in North Little Rock.

A Funeral Mass, with Fr. Greg Luyet officiating, will take place Friday, December 22 at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 7000 JFK Boulevard, North Little Rock. A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 21 from 5-7 p.m. at Smith Family Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street, North Little Rock, with a rosary beginning at 7 p.m. Guestbook and online obituary can be found at www.smithfamilycares.com .