Thomas Joseph Willow

DOB: November 1, 1949

He was preceded in death by Aloysius Willow Sr. father; Nancy Laverne standing Willow, mother; brother Aloysius Douglas Willow Jr.; sister, Carol Ann Willow; son, Nye-Thiock Willow; mother-in-law Marie Tafoya; nephews, Titus Aloysius Willow and Raymond, Aloysius McKing; nieces Francis Rider, Nancy Sharon Willow, Theresa Louise Vann-Johnson; other family members Buddy Miller, Kristal Miller, Russel Friday, Naay'Aitch Friday, Sonny Vanfleet, Randy Vanfleet.

Thomas entered US Army on January 7, 1970. Completed basic training at Fort Ord, California. Assigned to artillery training at Fort Hill Oklahoma. Reassigned in June 1970 to Fort Leopardwood, MO., to complete military occupation specialty before being assigned to US RV headquarters Long Bien Vietnam on October 12, 1970.

Thomas graduated from David Starr Jordan High School in Long Beach, California, in 1968. He has a Journeyman machinist certification, Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico certification. He Returned stateside October 13, 1971, and received an honorable discharge 1978

Joseph entered US Army on January 7, 1970. Completed basic training at Fort Ord California. Assigned to artillery training at Fort Hill Oklahoma. Reassigned in June 1970 to Fort Leopardwood, MO., to complete military occupation specialty before being assigned to US RV headquarters Long Bien Vietnam on October 12, 1970. 

Employment: machinist at Los Alamos National Lab, August 1974 to April 1987 Surveillance/supervisor Cities of Gold Casino, January 1994 to August 2000 Along with various other jobs around Albuquerque and Espanola, New Mexico.

Auto mechanics, NNMCC El Rito-Espanola, New Mexico, 1990. He was a machinist at Los Alamos National Lab, August 1974 to April 1987 Surveillance/supervisor Cities of Gold Casino, January 1994 to August 2000, along with various other jobs around Albuquerque and Espanola, New Mexico.

Thomas is survived by his wife Debbie Willow Espanola, NM, sister Katherine Vann Arapahoe, WY, sister Rebecca Bishop (Alan) Riverton, WY, and sister Rita Willow Arapahoe, WY; brother Verne Willow Arapahoe, WY, sister Marcene Willow Arapahoe WY, daughter Angie Naranjo (Jerome) Espanola, NM, daughter Amy (David) NakuSaych Nokuxu Willow Espanola, NM, daughter Elaine Suazo-Miller (Meeko). Albuquerque NM, son-in-law David Moquino Espanola, NM. Grandson, Rio Harrison Willow, Santa Fe, NM, granddaughter Thiala Suazo (Leonel) Albuquerque, NM, Katharin "Katt-Katt" Willow, granddaughter Theia Miller Espanola, NM. Great grandson, Leo Caro Suazo Albuquerque, NM great granddaughter Lea Caro Albuquerque, NM.

A Memorial Service will take place on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at DeVargas Funeral Home in Espanola, NM, at 5:00 pm. 

Burial will take place on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 9:00 am.

The family of Thomas Joseph Willow Has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley 505-747-7477.