Sam Willis

Wren – Samuel Eugene Willis, Jr., 76, died on Friday, May 13, 2011, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Born on October 7, 1934, in Haleyville, AL, he was a son of the late Wilma June Hadder and Samuel Eugene Willis, Sr.
Mr. Willis was a graduate of Haleyville High School. He played football for the University of Alabama before leaving to honorably serve in the US Army during the Korean War. He played football while in the Army. After being discharged, he graduated from IJC and from Florence Teachers College. Mr. Willis received his Masters in Education from Mississippi State University.
Dedicated to education and to children, he retired after 41 years as an administrator, teacher and coach, having worked in the Aberdeen, Amory, and Monroe County School Systems. As an educator and parent, he was fair, generous, and truly cared about every student. Mr. Willis was of the Baptist faith. He enjoyed collecting old coins, pocket watches, looking at and trading automobiles, helping others, being outdoors, working in the yard, sports of all types, and watching Westerns, especially ones with John Wayne. In 2006, Mr. Willis was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. He treasured the time spent with his family and his Jack Russell terrier dogs.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Judy Pruett Willis, Wren; daughter, Rebecca W. (Stacey) Hathcock, Florence, AL; sons, Chris Willis, Wren and Walt (Susan) Willis, Amory; sister, Angela W. (Ray) Russell, Jacksonville, FL; Jimmy (Betsy) Willis, Aberdeen; grandchildren, Christopher (Hannah) Willis, Stephanie (J. P.) Holloway, Jonathan Hathcock, Matthew Hathcock, Aynslee Willis and Whitt Willis; great-granddaughter, Kaylen Willis; and nieces and nephews, Mary Carlisle, Dennis Thompson, Jr., Chris Willis, Marybeth Meyers, Samuel Chauvin and Crystal Chauvin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Rosemary Willis Young, and a nephew, Scott Young.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, May 15, 2011, at E. E. Pickle Funeral Home with Bro. Jim Ray officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Wren Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Rusty Murphree, Randy Nicholson, Dennis Thompson, Tim Pearson, Buddy Carlisle, and Phil Sullivan. Honorary pallbearers will be his former co-workers and teachers.
For those who prefer in lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Wren Cemetery Fund, P. O. Box 491, Aberdeen, MS 39730, or to Amory Humane Society, 1317 Old Hwy. 6, Amory, MS 38821.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at eepicklefuneralhome.com.