Guillermo Deleon "Molly" Valena

COLUMBIA—Guillermo DeLeon “Molly” Valeña, PhD, died peacefully at home on August 30, 2017 in Columbia, SC at the age of 78, from complications of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Gil is survived by Bella, his wife of 51 years; and his children: Michelle Valeña Brady (Dr. John Brady), and Myra Valeña (Scott Padgett); and his grandchildren: Cecily Valeña Brady of Silver Spring, MD; Madison Valeña Brady and Sam Valeña Brady of Newport News, VA; William Valeña Padgett, Rex Padgett Valeña, and Phoenix Padgett Valeña of Boston, MA; sisters: Martha Molato of Sayreville, NJ, and Edita Valeña of NYC; and a brother, Celso Valeña (Fely Donato) of Las Vegas, NV. He is preceded in death by his parents, Constancio and Vicenta Valeña of Calauag, Luzon, Philippines. Gil graduated from the University of the Philippines with a Bachelors degree in Forestry, working as an instructor there until receiving a scholarship from the United States Agency for International Development to earn a Masters Degree in Extension Education from the University of Missouri, and then a Doctorate in Sociology. He married Bella Lipawen in 1965. Gil worked at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC as a Sociology Professor from 1972 until his retirement in 2000. At the time of his retirement, he was the chairman of the Department ofSociology and Social Work. Gil loved to go fishing and play tennis. He was an active and dedicated member of Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church, where he volunteered as a lector and with the Knights of Columbus. The funeral service is Saturday, September 9 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church, with a reception to follow at the Family Life Center behind the church. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church, 120 Marydale Ln, Columbia SC 29210 or to Leeza’s Care Connection,201 St Andrews Rd, Columbia SC 29210. The family would like to thank his dedicated caregivers and Regency/Southern Care hospice agency for their efforts and support.