O.B. Willeford

Oliver Britton (Britt) Willeford, age 88, of Abilene passed away on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 in Abilene, Texas. Visitation will be 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, November 25, 2012 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 26, 2012 at Hillcrest Church of Christ Chapel with Terry Brown officiating. Burial will follow at 12 noon at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene. Arrangements are by The Hamil Family Funeral Home. Britt was born in Hamilton, Texas to Albert Hunter Willeford and Allie Pearl Reynolds Willeford on June 12, 1924. He attended schools in Hamilton, leaving prior to graduation. During World War II, after a first unsuccessful attempt to enlist in the Navy, he enlisted with his father's permission six days after his seventeenth birthday. He was discharged at the rank of Boatswain's Mate Second Class on November 1, 1945. He received the American Defense Medal with Fleet Clasp, WWII Victory Medal, American Area Campaign Medal, and the European Middle East Area Campaign Medal. During his time in the military he served in Bizerte, Tunisia; Oran, Algeria. Additionally, he participated in the Normandy Invasion while assigned to the USS LST 281. Following his discharge from the Navy he returned to Hamilton, Texas where he had three dates with Reeta Sue Pederson prior to their marriage on December 16, 1945. In 1950 Britt and Sue moved to Abilene for him to attend Abilene Christian College. He worked as police officer for the Abilene Police Department prior to employment at Citizens National Bank in 1952. In 1968 he purchased A & W Root Beer on Mockingbird Lane. Kerrville was their home beginning in 1978. Britt and Sue were delighted to come home to Abilene in 1990. In his later years Britt was a faithful employee of Enterprise Car Rental and the City of Abilene, working at the airport parking concession; finally retiring on September 30, 2008. Britt was a charter member of Woodlawn Church of Christ where he served as a deacon for many years. At the time of his death he was a member of Hillcrest Church of Christ. Britt was a quiet man who spoke only rarely about his military service. He had the opportunity to return to the Normandy region of France in October 2008 after mentioning his desire to return in an article published about him in the Abilene Reporter News on the anniversary of D-Day 2008. He was accompanied by Sue, his children and Bruce Edwards. Britt was preceded in death by an infant son, Roger Britton Willeford, his parents, brothers Oran, Aaron, Scottie and their wives. Britt is survived by his wife and sweetheart of nearly 67 years, Sue; son Larry and wife Linda of Abilene; daughter Britta Edwards and husband Bruce of San Antonio; granddaughter Randi Winters and husband David of Hodges; grandson Ty and wife Amanda of Hawley; grandson Josh Strickland of San Antonio; granddaughter Callie Strickland of San Antonio; and four great-grandchildren Morgan, Kolter, Raegen, and Kanyon; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Also surviving are numerous cherished church and Supper Club friends. Pallbearers will be grandsons Ty Willeford and Josh Strickland, Guy Gamble, Jerry Huffaker, Leroy Perkins, Steve Knight, Danny Knight and Larry Knight. Memorials may be given to Hillcrest Church of Christ Mission Fund, 650 E. Ambler, Abilene, Texas 79601. Britt's family wishes to thank the staff of C-5 and the Hospice unit at Hendrick Medical Center for excellent care delivered with compassion.