A graduate in mathematics, Vilella was one of the most recognized public figures in the city of Lleida due to his work in fields as diverse as politics, culture, and sports. He served as a teacher at the Episcopal School for 40 years.

His extensive political career includes serving for 24 years as a councilor for the Lleida City Council (the Paeria) across several legislatures, spanning from the end of the Franco regime well into the 21st century, always under the banner of Convergència i Unió.

In the sports world, Jaume Vilella was a director for Unió Esportiva Lleida and AEM, but he was particularly noted for his 25-year presidency of the Sícoris Club, where he took charge in 1990 and stepped down in 2015. He also presided over the Cercle de Belles Arts and was part of the advisory board of La Caixa and the Institut d’Estudis Ilerdencs (IEI).

The wake is being held today starting at 4:00 PM, and the funeral will take place on Monday at 11:00 AM at the Lleida Cathedral.