F. Willis Vickery

by Lynn McMillen
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The Reverend Doctor F. Willis Vickery, age 89, Decatur died February 28 at his home with his family by his side. He was born July 1, 1931 in Columbia, Tennessee to the late Norman and Hilda Vickery.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Virginia, his brother, Wayne (Ann), his brother-in-law, Fred (Jeanette) Bernhardt, and his three sons, Michael (Elizabeth), Paul (Donna) and Bryan (Suzanne). “Pop” leaves behind eight grandchildren, Ginny (John) Pylant, Morgan (Dan) Coulter, Kate (David) Peek, Nicole (Adam) Stinson, Margaret Vickery, Jenna Vickery, Charlie Makowski, and Andrew Makowski. He was loved by eleven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Willis dedicated his entire life to ministering to others in Christian faith. His career started at age 14 preaching youth revivals at churches in the Southeastern Conference of the United Methodist Church. He met his wife, Virginia, while preaching at Airport Hills United Methodist in Birmingham, and was married June 29, 1954. He was educated at Birmingham Southern and Emory University and received a doctorate from Birmingham Southern in 1983.

He served the Lord in many different churches as an ordained Methodist minister from 1951 to 2001. Acmar/Margaret (1951), Airport Hills (1952), Munford (1954), Saks (1956), Grace (1959), Russellville First (1963), Epworth (1966), Hartselle First (1970), Scottsboro First (1972), Florence District Superintendent (1978), Trinity Huntsville (1982), Birmingham First (1994), Decatur District Superintendent (1996). He also served on numerous Districts and Boards for the North Alabama Conference.

During his time in the ministry, he guided four churches in building new buildings and two churches in building new parsonages. Dr. Vickery leaves behind a legacy of mentoring numerous young people to enter the ministry and others to lead a Christian life.  Willis spent countless hours making memories with family and friends at their family lake house on Smith Lake.

His celebration of life will be at Trinity United Methodist Church Huntsville with Reverend Mac Buttram and Reverend Billy York officiating on Wednesday, March 3, at 11 am. Visitation will be one hour before the service. Serving as pall bearers will be Dan Coulter, Jackson Coulter, David Peek, Mills Peek, Charlie Peek, John Pylant and Adam Stinson. The family requests no flowers with contributions to Hospice of the Valley Decatur Chapter (www.hospiceofthevalley.net) or Camp Sumatanga. Special thanks to the nurses of Hospice and to Whitney Cross, who has lovingly taken care of Willis for the last year. “Seating is limited to 200 people. Masks and distancing are required.” 

Burial will be at 1:30 at City Cemetery in Decatur Alabama. Ridout’s-Brown’s Funeral Home will be assisting the family.

Livestream Page: Trinityhsv.org/live

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