Snyder ISD student killed in boating accident

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A local teen has died as a result of a July 4 boating accident.

Mays Justice Villarreal, 14, died while boating with his family Saturday at Lake J.B. Thomas. According to the Scurry County Sheriff’s report, local dispatch received several calls about the accident at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Emergency medical service units as well as firefighters and sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the scene. Scurry County Justice of the Peace Ricki Webb pronounced Villarreal deceased, and he was transported to Bell-Cypert-Seale Funeral Home.

According to a statement issued by Snyder ISD Superintendent Dr. Eddie Bland, Villarreal would have been a freshman at Snyder High School this fall.

“This loss will be felt throughout Snyder,” Bland said in the statement. “Mays has family entering Pre-K, third, sixth, ninth and 10th grades next year as well as relatives and friends throughout the district and the community. We know you will join us in extending your sympathy and prayers for the family.”

In the statement, Bland also offered counseling resources for Snyder ISD students and staff, including a Zoom meeting this past Monday, email support at acrist@snyderisd.net, a crisis text line by texting “home” to 741741 and the West Texas Centers Crisis Help Line at (800) 375-4357.

“We also have a list of counseling resources available,” Bland said. “If you need additional support, do not hesitate to reach out to us.”

A funeral service for Villarreal was held at 2 p.m. today at East Side Church of Christ. Villarreal is survived by his parents, Martin and Monica Villarreal of Midland and Jennifer Petersen and Adam Bluma of Snyder; four siblings; and several other family members. 

His full obituary can be found on page 2 of this edition of The Snyder News.