Howard Franklin Willingham's Obituary
Howard F. Willingham, 80, of Olive Branch, MS, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2016 at Baptist DeSoto Hospital after a long illness, surrounded by his three beloved children. Mr. Willingham was born on November 22, 1935, in Horn Lake, MS, to Howard W. and Virgie Jones Willingham. He graduated from Southside High School in Memphis in 1953, and attended Scrapper reunions annually for sixty years to see his many lifelong friends. Howard became a successful and respected businessman in several Memphis enterprises, most notably as president at Shobe Inc and King Kitchens., a post he held for many years. He was an avid and accomplished golfer, and a licensed pilot. He was known in the business community as an encouraging mentor who gently guided those around him to success. He was a devoted husband. He provided a loving home for his children. He had a soft spot for animals. He was a master of the smoker and of the grill. He loved his grandchildren, who called him G-Dad, and his grand-dogs, who found him a reliable source of treats. He was a great teller of family stories, who never told it exactly the same way twice, and always got everybody laughing. He was preceded in death by his sweet wife of nearly 48 years, Stella Jean Shockley Willingham. Since her untimely death he faithfully cared for Stella’s special-needs sister, Earline, of Rector, AR. His brother, William Watkins Willingham, and his sisters Virginia Lurlyene Apperson and Tommy Katherine Upright also preceded him in death. He is survived by his son, Barry K. Willingham (Laura), of Tulsa, OK, his daughter, Leslie W. Spooner (Andy), of Cincinnati, OH, his daughter April (Jody) Dunning of Olive Branch, MS, his brother, Hiram Leslie (Nancy) Willingham of Germantown, TN, and sister, Emma Jean McFarland of Piperton, TN. He also leaves four grandchildren: Grayson Leigh Dunning, Georgia Lane Dunning, Piper Elizabeth Spooner, and Susanna Arletta Spooner. He will be missed. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the Olive Branch Animal Shelter or the Olive Branch Church of Christ. Visitation is 1:30-2:30 p.m. and the funeral service will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 11. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar, Memphis, TN 38119. “Celebrating Life…..Behind the Stone Wall”.
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