Funeral for Reverend Wallace Willingham will be Monday, April 4, 2016, at 2 p.m. at Family Worship Center, 1600 Magnolia Ave. SE, Decatur, with Michael Willingham, Phillip Willingham, Dale Dilbeck and Bishop L.V. Jones officiating and Ridout’s Brown-Service Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in East Lawrence Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. prior to the service. Visitation will be Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Reverend Willingham, who died Thursday, March 31, 2016, was born March 25, 1926. He served as a pastor and minister from 1948 serving many churches in the state of Alabama. A great warrior for the Lord, he touched countless lives in so many ways, most recently, with daily visits to local nursing homes and hospitals. He also served in World War II (Patton’s 3rd army division with the 87th infantry) earning several medals and was a great American patriot. He was a member of his local DAV chapter and great supporter of veteran programs. Most of all, he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who will stand as a shining example to his family forever. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emory and Clementine Willingham.
Survivors include his wife, Bennie Sue Willingham; four sons, Michael Willingham and wife, Ann, of Louisville, Ky., Phillip Willingham and wife, Rhonda of Valparaiso, Indiana, Gary Willingham and wife, Zasu, of Greenville, South Carolina and Perry Willingham and wife, Melisa, of Greenville, South Carolina; two daughters, Judy Willingham of Pelham and Shelia Dilbeck and husband, Dale, of Decatur; two sisters, Louise Thompson and Zelma Hogsed; 13 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews who he dearly loved.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, Chris Willingham, Kyle Willingham, J.R. Dilbeck, Matthew Willingham, Chase Willingham, Heath Willingham and Landon Willingham.
Honorary pallbearers will be granddaughters, Chrissy Litton, Angie Travis, Jennifer Smith, Kelsey Willingham, Amber Shur and all great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Family Worship Center or Gideons Society.
1 comment
Was honored to know this great man of God. He was an humble man who loved God, his country, his family and his fellowman. He will not be forgotten.