Pilar Ortiz, age 77, a resident of Grants, New Mexico for the passed 44 years, and formerly of San Jose, New Mexico passed away on April 1, 2011 at the Anna Kaseman Presbyterian Hospital. He was born on September 15, 1933 in San Jose, New Mexico to the late Roman G. Ortiz and Clara Segura-Ortiz.
Pilar was a loving and faithful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He was a musician, known for playing the accordion, loved to garden, and was mechanically inclined. He carried the reputation as a peacemaker and found his center in nature and the beauty of what life had to offer him and his loved ones. Pilar was a very spiritual and caring man. He was very proud of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
A Catholic, and a member of the St. Teresa of Avila Church in Grants, New Mexico. He was preceded in death by his parents: Roman and Clara Ortiz, son: Melvin Ortiz; brother: Richard Ortiz: sister: Beneranda Lopez: father-in-law: Jose Esquibel; mother-in-law: Emilia Ulibarri-Esquibel.
Pilar is survived by his loving wife: Amby Ortiz of the family home in Grants, NM; sons and daughters: Ronald Ortiz and wife Ida, Barbara Murrietta and husband Abel, Pilar Ortiz Jr., all of Grants, NM; Sister Dianna Ortiz, OSU of Washington, DC; John Ortiz of Gallup, NM; Michelle Salazar and husband Richard and Josh Ortiz and wife Jennie of Albuquerque, NM; grandchildren: Veronica Williams, Melanie Valdez, Ron Ortiz Jr., Abel Joseph Murrietta Jr., Nicholas Murrietta, Ambroshia Murrietta, Joseph Murrietta, Benito Murrietta, Isaac Ortiz, Rick Salazar, Stephanie Ramirez, Angelo Ortiz, and Josiah Ortiz: great-grandchildren: Jaclyn Williams, Heather Williams, Hailee Williams, Noah Valdez, Trinity Valdez, Marisol Murrietta, Jordan Murrietta, Jazmin Salazar, Jaden Ramirez, Brock Ramirez, Gracie Ramirez: brothers: Robert Ortiz and wife Polly of San Jose, NM; Roman Ortiz Jr., and wife Adeline of Milan, NM; Joe F. Ortiz and wife Pauline , and Dr. Napoleon Ortiz and wife Rose of Arizona, NM; sisters:, Amalia Tafoya and husband Arturo of Albuquerque, NM; and Clara Gallegos of Las Vegas, NM; brothers and sisters-in-law: Carmen Ortiz of California, Ray Lopez of Las Vegas, NM; Ermy Salazar and husband Raymond, and Lalo Esquibel and wife Eufelia all of California; numerous: nieces, nephews other relatives and many friends.
Rosary devotional services will be conducted on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 6:00pm at the Rogers Chapel. Funeral services will be conducted at 9:00 am on April 6, 2011 at the San Jose Church in San Jose, NM, with Father Thomas Kayammakal. Serving as casket bearers will be the following: Ron Ortiz Jr., J.R. Murrietta, Nick Murrietta, Rick Salazar, Isaac Ortiz, Joseph Murrietta, Benito Murrietta, and Angelo Ortiz. Serving as honorary bearers: Abel Murrietta Sr., Richard Salazar Sr., Eric Ramirez, Anthony Valdez, Martin Urioste, Rodney Ortiz, Tim Ortiz, and Ron Williams.
He will lie in state at the Rogers Chapel on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 5:30pm until time of rosary where famiy and friends may call.

Arrangements are under the direction of Rogers Mortuary in Las Vegas, NM 1-800-479-3511 or 505-425-3511.