Thurman Willis Sr., 82, of Sikeston, MO, died at 2 a.m. Aug. 24, 2010, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.
Born March 13, 1928, in Barton, AL, he was the son of the late Fred and Katy Dill Willis. He was married to the former Mary Frances Owen of Corinth, MS, in 1949. They recently celebrated 60 years of marriage. He attended the First Christian Church and was 32nd degree Mason.
In 1947, he graduated from high school in Cherokee, AL. He lettered in all the sports and was captain of the football and basketball team. He attended college full time at the University of Alabama at Florence while being employed full time at Reynolds Alloys Company at Listerhill, Ala., as a chemical analyst. He was color bearer in ROTC.
In 1953, he was transferred to Reynolds Metals Company at Corpus Christi, TX, as a chemical analyst. He became interested in industrial management and studied this field at the University of Texas, Texas A&M, Del Mar College and Syracuse University. He was charter president of the YMCA Industrial Management Club and was appointed by the National Council of YMCA Industrial Management Clubs of New York City as their zone representative servicing all the clubs in Texas and six other states. He was also appointed to be Reynolds Metals Company key man to the United Fund. He was elected president of the Corpus Christi Toastmasters Club and enjoyed public speaking.
While living in Texas and raising his family, he was active in the Boy Scouts of America and YMCA Indian Guides with his sons and coached their teams in football and baseball.
After 20 years employment with Reynolds Metals Company, he accepted employment with Swiss Aluminium of Zurich, Switzerland. He was involved in labor relations and management at their Consolidated Aluminum facility at Waverly, TN. Two years later, he was transferred to their new Gulf Coast Aluminum plant at Lake Charles, LA, for startup and settling problems between the union and management. Not only did he have skills promoting good relations, he was well known for his knowledge of aluminum production. He found ways and means to make operations more efficient. He was sent to Norway, Germany and Switzerland with 10 new employees to train them to produce aluminum.
Thurman was held in high esteem by all the men he supervised. He had to make many tough decisions regarding unions and management and he never failed to be fair. In 1972, he joined Noranda Aluminum in New Madrid, MO. After 37 years in the aluminum business, he retired in 1986.
He owned and operated Precision Trailer Manufacturing Co., building utility trailers. His customers ranged from Florida to Alaska. He was well known for good quality workmanship in the trailers he produced. He retired after seven years due to failing health.
Thurman enjoyed playing bridge and golf, and with his good friend Theron Stallings, organized the Senior Men's Golf Association at the Sikeston Country Club.
In addition to his wife, other survivors include: three sons, Thurman (Sandy) Willis Jr., Brian Willis, and David Willis (Annie). He is also survived by three grandsons, Trey Willis, Tim Gardner and Scott Gardner; five granddaughters, Andrea Willis, Jessica Willis, Jennifer Willis, Ashley Willis and Monique Callinan; four great-grandchildren, Brandon, Hailey, Leslie Willis and Mia Callinan. Other survivors are two sisters, Estelle Murphy, and Mazell Edwards; and two nieces, Linda Call and Theresa Dixon.
His only beloved daughter, Leslie Gardner, preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by one brother, Nelson Willis; and one sister, Ezelle Thompson.
Visitation was held until time of services at Blanchard Funeral Chapel. Mary McCord, pastor of First Christian Church, officiated.
Burial followed in the Garden of Memories Cemetery.
Pallbearers were his sons, Thurman Willis Jr., Brian Willis and David Willis; and grandsons, Troy Willis and Tim and Scott Gardner.
Honorary pallbearers were: Bob Turnbull, Jesse Tomlinson, Ted McGraw, Charles Folks, Galen Kruger, Jack Jackovic, Bill Whitlock, Jerry Cooper and Jerry Owen.
Aug 25, 2010 Sikeston Standard Democrat
Born March 13, 1928, in Barton, AL, he was the son of the late Fred and Katy Dill Willis. He was married to the former Mary Frances Owen of Corinth, MS, in 1949. They recently celebrated 60 years of marriage. He attended the First Christian Church and was 32nd degree Mason.
In 1947, he graduated from high school in Cherokee, AL. He lettered in all the sports and was captain of the football and basketball team. He attended college full time at the University of Alabama at Florence while being employed full time at Reynolds Alloys Company at Listerhill, Ala., as a chemical analyst. He was color bearer in ROTC.
In 1953, he was transferred to Reynolds Metals Company at Corpus Christi, TX, as a chemical analyst. He became interested in industrial management and studied this field at the University of Texas, Texas A&M, Del Mar College and Syracuse University. He was charter president of the YMCA Industrial Management Club and was appointed by the National Council of YMCA Industrial Management Clubs of New York City as their zone representative servicing all the clubs in Texas and six other states. He was also appointed to be Reynolds Metals Company key man to the United Fund. He was elected president of the Corpus Christi Toastmasters Club and enjoyed public speaking.
While living in Texas and raising his family, he was active in the Boy Scouts of America and YMCA Indian Guides with his sons and coached their teams in football and baseball.
After 20 years employment with Reynolds Metals Company, he accepted employment with Swiss Aluminium of Zurich, Switzerland. He was involved in labor relations and management at their Consolidated Aluminum facility at Waverly, TN. Two years later, he was transferred to their new Gulf Coast Aluminum plant at Lake Charles, LA, for startup and settling problems between the union and management. Not only did he have skills promoting good relations, he was well known for his knowledge of aluminum production. He found ways and means to make operations more efficient. He was sent to Norway, Germany and Switzerland with 10 new employees to train them to produce aluminum.
Thurman was held in high esteem by all the men he supervised. He had to make many tough decisions regarding unions and management and he never failed to be fair. In 1972, he joined Noranda Aluminum in New Madrid, MO. After 37 years in the aluminum business, he retired in 1986.
He owned and operated Precision Trailer Manufacturing Co., building utility trailers. His customers ranged from Florida to Alaska. He was well known for good quality workmanship in the trailers he produced. He retired after seven years due to failing health.
Thurman enjoyed playing bridge and golf, and with his good friend Theron Stallings, organized the Senior Men's Golf Association at the Sikeston Country Club.
In addition to his wife, other survivors include: three sons, Thurman (Sandy) Willis Jr., Brian Willis, and David Willis (Annie). He is also survived by three grandsons, Trey Willis, Tim Gardner and Scott Gardner; five granddaughters, Andrea Willis, Jessica Willis, Jennifer Willis, Ashley Willis and Monique Callinan; four great-grandchildren, Brandon, Hailey, Leslie Willis and Mia Callinan. Other survivors are two sisters, Estelle Murphy, and Mazell Edwards; and two nieces, Linda Call and Theresa Dixon.
His only beloved daughter, Leslie Gardner, preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by one brother, Nelson Willis; and one sister, Ezelle Thompson.
Visitation was held until time of services at Blanchard Funeral Chapel. Mary McCord, pastor of First Christian Church, officiated.
Burial followed in the Garden of Memories Cemetery.
Pallbearers were his sons, Thurman Willis Jr., Brian Willis and David Willis; and grandsons, Troy Willis and Tim and Scott Gardner.
Honorary pallbearers were: Bob Turnbull, Jesse Tomlinson, Ted McGraw, Charles Folks, Galen Kruger, Jack Jackovic, Bill Whitlock, Jerry Cooper and Jerry Owen.
Aug 25, 2010 Sikeston Standard Democrat
Thurman Willis Sr., 82, of Sikeston, MO, died at 2 a.m. Aug. 24, 2010, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.
Born March 13, 1928, in Barton, AL, he was the son of the late Fred and Katy Dill Willis. He was married to the former Mary Frances Owen of Corinth, MS, in 1949. They recently celebrated 60 years of marriage. He attended the First Christian Church and was 32nd degree Mason.
In 1947, he graduated from high school in Cherokee, AL. He lettered in all the sports and was captain of the football and basketball team. He attended college full time at the University of Alabama at Florence while being employed full time at Reynolds Alloys Company at Listerhill, Ala., as a chemical analyst. He was color bearer in ROTC.
In 1953, he was transferred to Reynolds Metals Company at Corpus Christi, TX, as a chemical analyst. He became interested in industrial management and studied this field at the University of Texas, Texas A&M, Del Mar College and Syracuse University. He was charter president of the YMCA Industrial Management Club and was appointed by the National Council of YMCA Industrial Management Clubs of New York City as their zone representative servicing all the clubs in Texas and six other states. He was also appointed to be Reynolds Metals Company key man to the United Fund. He was elected president of the Corpus Christi Toastmasters Club and enjoyed public speaking.
While living in Texas and raising his family, he was active in the Boy Scouts of America and YMCA Indian Guides with his sons and coached their teams in football and baseball.
After 20 years employment with Reynolds Metals Company, he accepted employment with Swiss Aluminium of Zurich, Switzerland. He was involved in labor relations and management at their Consolidated Aluminum facility at Waverly, TN. Two years later, he was transferred to their new Gulf Coast Aluminum plant at Lake Charles, LA, for startup and settling problems between the union and management. Not only did he have skills promoting good relations, he was well known for his knowledge of aluminum production. He found ways and means to make operations more efficient. He was sent to Norway, Germany and Switzerland with 10 new employees to train them to produce aluminum.
Thurman was held in high esteem by all the men he supervised. He had to make many tough decisions regarding unions and management and he never failed to be fair. In 1972, he joined Noranda Aluminum in New Madrid, MO. After 37 years in the aluminum business, he retired in 1986.
He owned and operated Precision Trailer Manufacturing Co., building utility trailers. His customers ranged from Florida to Alaska. He was well known for good quality workmanship in the trailers he produced. He retired after seven years due to failing health.
Thurman enjoyed playing bridge and golf, and with his good friend Theron Stallings, organized the Senior Men's Golf Association at the Sikeston Country Club.
In addition to his wife, other survivors include: three sons, Thurman (Sandy) Willis Jr., Brian Willis, and David Willis (Annie). He is also survived by three grandsons, Trey Willis, Tim Gardner and Scott Gardner; five granddaughters, Andrea Willis, Jessica Willis, Jennifer Willis, Ashley Willis and Monique Callinan; four great-grandchildren, Brandon, Hailey, Leslie Willis and Mia Callinan. Other survivors are two sisters, Estelle Murphy, and Mazell Edwards; and two nieces, Linda Call and Theresa Dixon.
His only beloved daughter, Leslie Gardner, preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by one brother, Nelson Willis; and one sister, Ezelle Thompson.
Visitation was held until time of services at Blanchard Funeral Chapel. Mary McCord, pastor of First Christian Church, officiated.
Burial followed in the Garden of Memories Cemetery.
Pallbearers were his sons, Thurman Willis Jr., Brian Willis and David Willis; and grandsons, Troy Willis and Tim and Scott Gardner.
Honorary pallbearers were: Bob Turnbull, Jesse Tomlinson, Ted McGraw, Charles Folks, Galen Kruger, Jack Jackovic, Bill Whitlock, Jerry Cooper and Jerry Owen.
Aug 25, 2010 Sikeston Standard Democrat
Born March 13, 1928, in Barton, AL, he was the son of the late Fred and Katy Dill Willis. He was married to the former Mary Frances Owen of Corinth, MS, in 1949. They recently celebrated 60 years of marriage. He attended the First Christian Church and was 32nd degree Mason.
In 1947, he graduated from high school in Cherokee, AL. He lettered in all the sports and was captain of the football and basketball team. He attended college full time at the University of Alabama at Florence while being employed full time at Reynolds Alloys Company at Listerhill, Ala., as a chemical analyst. He was color bearer in ROTC.
In 1953, he was transferred to Reynolds Metals Company at Corpus Christi, TX, as a chemical analyst. He became interested in industrial management and studied this field at the University of Texas, Texas A&M, Del Mar College and Syracuse University. He was charter president of the YMCA Industrial Management Club and was appointed by the National Council of YMCA Industrial Management Clubs of New York City as their zone representative servicing all the clubs in Texas and six other states. He was also appointed to be Reynolds Metals Company key man to the United Fund. He was elected president of the Corpus Christi Toastmasters Club and enjoyed public speaking.
While living in Texas and raising his family, he was active in the Boy Scouts of America and YMCA Indian Guides with his sons and coached their teams in football and baseball.
After 20 years employment with Reynolds Metals Company, he accepted employment with Swiss Aluminium of Zurich, Switzerland. He was involved in labor relations and management at their Consolidated Aluminum facility at Waverly, TN. Two years later, he was transferred to their new Gulf Coast Aluminum plant at Lake Charles, LA, for startup and settling problems between the union and management. Not only did he have skills promoting good relations, he was well known for his knowledge of aluminum production. He found ways and means to make operations more efficient. He was sent to Norway, Germany and Switzerland with 10 new employees to train them to produce aluminum.
Thurman was held in high esteem by all the men he supervised. He had to make many tough decisions regarding unions and management and he never failed to be fair. In 1972, he joined Noranda Aluminum in New Madrid, MO. After 37 years in the aluminum business, he retired in 1986.
He owned and operated Precision Trailer Manufacturing Co., building utility trailers. His customers ranged from Florida to Alaska. He was well known for good quality workmanship in the trailers he produced. He retired after seven years due to failing health.
Thurman enjoyed playing bridge and golf, and with his good friend Theron Stallings, organized the Senior Men's Golf Association at the Sikeston Country Club.
In addition to his wife, other survivors include: three sons, Thurman (Sandy) Willis Jr., Brian Willis, and David Willis (Annie). He is also survived by three grandsons, Trey Willis, Tim Gardner and Scott Gardner; five granddaughters, Andrea Willis, Jessica Willis, Jennifer Willis, Ashley Willis and Monique Callinan; four great-grandchildren, Brandon, Hailey, Leslie Willis and Mia Callinan. Other survivors are two sisters, Estelle Murphy, and Mazell Edwards; and two nieces, Linda Call and Theresa Dixon.
His only beloved daughter, Leslie Gardner, preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by one brother, Nelson Willis; and one sister, Ezelle Thompson.
Visitation was held until time of services at Blanchard Funeral Chapel. Mary McCord, pastor of First Christian Church, officiated.
Burial followed in the Garden of Memories Cemetery.
Pallbearers were his sons, Thurman Willis Jr., Brian Willis and David Willis; and grandsons, Troy Willis and Tim and Scott Gardner.
Honorary pallbearers were: Bob Turnbull, Jesse Tomlinson, Ted McGraw, Charles Folks, Galen Kruger, Jack Jackovic, Bill Whitlock, Jerry Cooper and Jerry Owen.
Aug 25, 2010 Sikeston Standard Democrat
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
