Eli Villa, 20

We are grieving the loss of Eli David Villa, born Oct. 16, 2003, and leaving us in a tragic accident Aug. 11, 2024.

If you knew Eli, you were aware of his quirky, goofy, funny, odd-ball, socially awkward, amazing self. A “big, beautiful dork,” I liked to call him. Eli exemplified all that was good. His unwavering patience, immense kindness, understanding and acceptance. His oddness. His authentic purity. His overwhelming wonder and excitement for nature and all the magic on earth — they were his gifts! He was gentle, incredibly sweet and just filled to the brim with joy. Eli was obsessed with fishing. He and his brother, Hayden, were inextricably intertwined and shared an enormous love of fishing — spending all their free time together, having the best fishing adventures. He loved sushi, big hugs, cool music and still loved being read to by his “mummy.” As his lifelong friend stated, “He was weird in the best of ways, and he unapologetically embraced that, and in doing so, he taught everyone who knew him to do the same thing.” Eli was the brightest light and was so incredibly loved by his small circle.

His father (David), his “mummy” (Samantha), his best friend and brother (Hayden) and his “seeestairrr” (Sydney), along with his dogs (Sodie, Annemeister and Nahla BOOBEAR), his beloved Gma, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and coworkers — we will all do our best to see him in the things he loved the most (lakes, streams, the ocean, big bass and most important, the massive amounts of love he gave us). In a world full of ordinary, be more like Eli.

The family is beyond grateful to the community for the outpouring of love. There will be a celebration of life for Eli in the near future. You may visit Eli's online tribute at hodgefuneralhome.com.

    Villa