Willard Harvell Oakley, Jr., age 71, of Santa Fe, Tennessee passed away on July 7, 2018 at his residence.
Willard was born on May 11, 1947 in Maury County, Tennessee to the late Harvell and Mae Oakley. He was a loving, devoted, Christian husband and father. He was married to his beloved wife, Vickie, for 37 years. He was a second father to his nieces and nephews. Willard loved his family dearly and was a blessing to them; he worked hard to care for them, never letting them go without. He was good to everyone he came in contact with, he would give the shirt off his back to anyone.
Willard is survived by his wife, Vickie Favors Oakley; sister, Connie Oakley (Martin) Reischman; nieces and nephews: Chris (Emily) Reischman, Nick (Gina) Reischman, Sarah Frye, Heather Mae Oakley, Jason Oakley, Amanda Jones, Melissa (Terry) Cothron and Rebecca (Wayne) Simmons; sister in law’s Linda Pemerton, who Willard thought of as a sister, and Carolyn Oakley; several great nieces and nephews and his beloved dog, Penny. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers, Rayburn and Arthur Oakley.
The family will visit with friends on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 from noon until 2:00 pm at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia. A Service will follow visitation at 2:00 pm in the chapel of Williams Funeral Home.
Pallbearers are Amanda Jones, Terry Cothron, Wayne Simmons, Chris and Nick Reischman, Hunter Duke, Martin Reischman and George Webster. Honorary pallbearers are men of New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church.
Special thanks to the caregivers of Hospice Compassus for their loving care during their time of need.
Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.williamsfh.com.
