Willie Nelson “Red” England, born March 27, 1941, in Lauderdale County, died Monday Oct. 26, 2015, after an extended illness. Visitation will be today from 5-8 p.m. and service Thursday at 11 a.m. at Elkins Funeral Home, Florence. Burial will follow at Greenview Memorial Gardens. Officiating the service will be Brother Brian Cartony, Brother Ronny Jones and Brother Roger Creasy.
Daddy, he was a tough yet gentle soul and kind hearted person, determined to find the best in whatever storms life brought his way. Although he only had an eighth grade education, he was one of the smartest and hardest working men we’ve ever known. He found his niche early in life and made a successful lifelong career as owner of England Bros. Auto Salvage Company/ Red England Auto Parts. Beginning at 8 years old, he purchased old bicycles and sold the salvageable parts off them to earn money. This later evolved into cars, and in 1962 he opened his first salvage yard in East Florence. He moved to his current location on Florence Blvd. in the early ’70s, becoming one of the largest salvage yards in north Alabama. After 47 successful years, he closed his business in 2009 due to declining health. Before his death, he stated that his customers were the reason for his success and wished to give each one a heartfelt thank you for their years of business and friendship. He had a lot of fun telling people his name was “Willie Nelson” (named after his mother Willie Irene Nelson). He absolutely loved deer hunting and just being outdoors enjoying nature, never losing the wonder of God’s creation. He was a wonderful daddy to his children, Popdaddy to his grandchildren and devoted husband to our Mother through her 25-year illness. He never stopped loving and missing her after her death in 1995. In 2005, he was able to find happiness and make memories with his new wife, Bobbie. From a young boy, Nelson accepted Jesus as his Savoir and tried in all things to live his life to honor Him. Although our hearts are broken and we will miss him so very much, we are left with his love and fond memories in our hearts forever. He was a member of St. Joseph Baptist Church and for many years an active 32nd Mason and Shriner.
Preceding in death, wife, Marveline “Jitterbug” Wilson England; parents, Virgil Lee and Willie Irene Nelson England; sister, Rose Uhlman; nephews, Lee and Bill England; father-in-law, James T. Wilson; brothers-in-law, Jim Falls and Jack Wilson; sister-in-law, Polly Wilson; lifelong best friend, Carol Tippett.
Surviving are wife, Bobbie England; daughters, Kim Matlock (Leroy) Florence, Pam England, Nashville, Tennessee; son (and his best buddy), Michael England (fiancée Venita Cartony), Florence, Alabama; grandsons, Trey Matlock (Molly), Hoover, Alabama, Heath Matlock (fiancée Alexandra French), Naples, Florida; great-grandchildren, Caroline and “lil’ buddy” Spencer Matlock; brothers, James England (Martha), Huntsville, Alabama, Glenn England (Charlotte), Killen, Alabama, Nolan England (Carol), Killen, Alabama; sister: Jane Ivey, Florence, Alabama; 17 nephews and nieces.
His wife’s children, Debbie Blalock (Mark), Lisa Rogers, Mike Rogers (Julie); and her grandchildren, Dustin Martin, Josh Blalock, Dayton Rogers, Jayla Rogers and Cheyanne Williams (Josh), all of Tupelo, Mississippi area; sisters-in- law, Patsy White (Ray), Florence, Alabama, Mary Bell (James), Hartselle, Alabama, Shirley Jamison (Jackie), Tupelo, Mississippi; brothers-in-law, Eddie Gasaway (Dean), Tommy Gasaway (Glenda), Kenny Gasaway (Letisha), all of the Tupelo, Mississippi area.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, Trey and Heath Matlock, nephews, Brian, Mark, Matt, Philip and Neal England, Kenny Yarbrough, Jeff White and Lance Uhlman.
Mr. England and his family wished to thank his caring and compassionate doctors, Dr. David Hollis and Dr. Randall Little, and their staffs for the many years of excellent care, and also Hospice of the Shoals and special thanks to Steve Chenault for assisting the family. Elkins Funeral Home is directing.
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