Joshua Whedbee Willey Sr., 95, of Willeyton Road, Gates, died Tuesday, May 4, 2010 in Sentara Obici Hospital, Suffolk, Va.
Born in Gates County, he attended North Carolina State University and was an Army veteran of World War II with the 11th Infantry. He served in the European Theater, seeing action in Iceland, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Ardennes.
Willey was a farmer and a member of Kittrell’s United Methodist Church, the Gates Ruritan Club, a founding member of the Gates Volunteer Fire Dept. He also served on the Board of Directors for both the Gates County Farm Bureau and the former Bank of Gates.
Survivors include his son, Joshua W. Willey, Jr. of New Bern; a granddaughter; his sister, Ada W. Carroll of Gates; brothers, John Fletcher Willey of Corapeake, D.A. Willey, Jr. of Nashville, and Frank Thomas Willey of Gaston.
A graveside service with military honors will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 8 at the Willey Family Cemetery at the residence with Rev. Mike Askew officiating. Friends may join the family at the residence.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Kittrell’s United Methodist Church, in care of Ada Carroll, 1046 NC Hwy 37, Gates, NC 27937.
Condolences can be left at www.millerfhc.com.
Miller Funeral Home, Gatesville, is handling arrangements.