Terry Willingham

Terry Waldon Willingham, 80, of Whitney, passed away on January 17, 2019 in Waco. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at White Bluff Chapel in Whitney with Rev. Terry Cosby officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Garden of Memory near Hillsboro. A visitation will be held from 6 - 8 p.m. on Monday, January 21, 2019, at Marshall and Marshall Funeral Directors in Whitney.

Terry was born on August 21, 1938 in Peoria, Illinois, to Henry and Dorothy (Dillon) Willingham. He grew up in Peoria, graduating from Manuel High School in 1956. On January 16, 1956, he married Sharon Closen in Corinth, Mississippi and she preceded him in death on September 1, 2018. During the 37 years Terry worked as a comptroller for the Caterpillar Company, they lived in numerous places including Aurora, IL, Plano, IL, Mentor, OH, Morton, IL, and Sao Paulo, Brazil before returning to Morton, IL and finally to Joliet, IL. In 1995, they moved to Whitney to enjoy their retirement.

In his spare time, first and foremost, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He also enjoyed watching all types of sports, especially the St. Louis Cardinals to which he was a lifetime fan, but he also enjoyed rooting for the Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys. Terry was an active member of White Bluff Chapel, enjoyed playing golf, traveling and trying new restaurants. Upon retirement, he took over the cooking duties and liked trying out new recipes.

Preceding him in death were his parents; a sister-in-law, Gloria Young and a brother-in-law, Robert Haynes.

Survivors include his children, Lori Jean Willingham of Hillsboro, Terry Michael Willingham and wife, Kathleen Ann of Rochester, MI and Tracy Lee Willingham of Whitney; a grandson, Jeffrey Steffen of Crandall and a great-granddaughter, Sophia Sky Steffen of Greenville; a sister, Wanda Lucille Haynes of Oceanside, CA; a brother-in-law, Dale Young of Brimfield, IL as well as numerous nieces and nephews; and special pet companion, Bonnie.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1700 Lake Success Drive, Waco, TX 76710.

Viewing and Visitation

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ,Monday, January 21, 2019
Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Whitney
201 North Bosque Whitney, TX 76692

Funeral Service

10:00 AM ,Tuesday, January 22, 2019
White Bluff Chapel
01072 White Bluff Dr. Whitney, TX 76692

Burial

Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Hillcrest Garden of Memory
3838 State Highway 22 Hillsboro, TX 76645