Reeta Sue Willeford

Reeta Sue Pederson Willeford was born July 17, 1926, in Hamilton County, Texas to John M. Pederson, Sr. and Sammie (Clabaugh) Pederson. She lived in Hamilton County, Texas until graduating from Hamilton High School in 1943. She moved to Dallas, Texas, working there until November, 1945. She married Oliver Britton Willeford on December 16, 1945. They lived in Hamilton until 1947 when they moved to Tyler, Texas. Sue began working in the insurance field, which she continued for 20 years. In January, 1950, they moved to Abilene, and she began working for R. C. Howerton Insurance, later merging with Grant Jones Insurance becoming ABTEX INSURANCE. In 1978 she began a career in property management at Westgate Mall. This work continued when they moved to Kerrville, Texas where she was manager of the River Hills Mall until she retired in 1991. They returned to Abilene in January 1992, where they enjoyed family and friends in their retirement. Britt predeceased Sue on November 21, 2012 Mrs. Willeford was the oldest of four children. Her living siblings are Sam Newt Pederson (wife Bobbie) of Stephenville, TX; James Paul Pederson (wife Nancy) of Waco, TX. She had one other brother John M. Pederson (wife Kathryn) both now deceased. Mrs. Willeford has a niece Suzanne Pederson Auten (husband Perry) of Whitney, TX; nephews John Scott Pederson (wife Liz) of Azle, TX; Sam Newt Pederson, Jr. (wife Suzan) of Graham, TX; and David Pederson (wife Jan) of Orange, TX. Following her brother’s death and Kathryn’s marriage to Bob Turner she was blessed with three additional nephews Matthew, Mark and Christopher Turner. This extended family was always an integral part of the Pederson and Willeford families. Additionally, Sue adored nieces Doran Willeford Stanford (husband Wiley) and Delia Willeford Levy. To the happy union of Britt and Sue Willeford three children were born: Roger Britton was their first child, who died soon after birth in Hamilton, TX; Larry Glenn was born in and still lives in Abilene (wife Linda), Britta Sue Edwards (husband Bruce) living in Houston, TX. She also has four grandchildren: Randi Lynn Willeford of Abilene and Tylon Glenn Willeford (wife Amanda) of Hawley, TX; Joshua Randolph Strickland of Austin, TX; and Callie Elizabeth Strickland of Collage Station, TX. She also has four great-grandchildren, Morgan, Kolter, Raegen, and Kanyon, whom she enjoyed and adored. Always efficient (and in charge), Sue did a wonderful job composing this obituary down to the final detail; leaving out only her date of death and funeral arrangements. Mrs. Willeford was a member of the Hillcrest Church of Christ, Abilene. The family will receive friends at a visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 17, in the Hillcrest Church of Christ Chapel. A graveside service will be held at 9:00 a.m. Friday, April 18, in Texas State Veteran Cemetery at Abilene, 7457 W. Lake Road, directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. The memorial service will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the Hillcrest Church of Christ Chapel, 650 East Ambler, with Terry Brown officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Hillcrest Church of Christ Mission Fund, 650 E. Ambler, Abilene, TX 79601, or Christian Service Center, 901 Mesquite St., Abilene, TX 79601.