Perry Van Willingham Jr.

Published 12:01 am Friday, October 3, 2014

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NATCHEZ — A private memorial graveside service for Perry Van Willingham Jr., 86, of Vidalia, formerly of Greenville, who died Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014, at Hardy Wilson Memorial Hospital in Hazlehurst, will be at 11 a.m. today at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery for family and close friends.

Arrangements are under the direction of Stringer Funeral Home in Hazlehurst.

Addie Phillips Willingham was the love of his life and his wife of 65 years. He never stopped missing her from the moment she left this world. He always lit up with joy when anyone spoke of her. We know he was elated to see her again Wednesday morning.

He was a member of First Baptist Church in Vidalia.

After more than 40 years in management positions in Mississippi and Louisiana with Bunge Grain Corporation and Concordia Grain Corporation, he retired. But, his retirement only gave him more time to do what he loved most. He spent most of his time away from his job tinkering with things in his shop and coming up with new inventions, including the perfect way to attach an umbrella to a lawnmower to keep the sun off. He took great pride in his yard and was insistent, in recent days, that his family let him leave the hospital so he could get home to take care of it because no one would ever manicure the lawn quite like he could.

Mr. Willingham was preceded in death by his parents, Perry Van Willingham Sr. and Alice Adelia White Willingham of Drew and his wife.

Survivors include one son, Perry Joe Willingham and wife, Irene, of Bastrop, La.; one daughter, Nancy Willingham Thompson and husband, Jackie, of Hazlehurst; some of his greatest joys in life were his grandchildren who lovingly referred to him as “Pa”— grandson, Chris Willingham and wife, Jessica, of Virginia Beach, Va., granddaughters, Tami Willingham and Ami Willingham, both of Lafayette, La., Jennifer Walker and Brandt Walker, both of Jackson, and Alice Claire Thompson and fiancé, Jason Scott, of Jackson; his joyful heart lives on through his two precious great-grandchildren, Mary Hampton Walker of Jackson and Gracie Willingham of Virginia Beach; and a number of nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.

While we mourn the loss of his earthly life, we must not forget his main priority on this earth; a much loved and very spoiled Maltese puppy, “Baby Love” who became an immediate member of the Willingham-Thompson families.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be given to First Baptist Church Missions Ministry, in Hazlehurst, in his memory and in honor of Dr. Randy Hankins who has taken exceptionally good care of him in recent weeks and years.

The joy in these days of loss comes from our knowing we will see our beloved father and grandfather again one day and one thing is for certain, he will have his guitar waiting for us when we all find our way to glory. Until that day comes, we’ll carry his torch from here.