1923
Fernie
2014
Fernie Gordon Willis
November 29, 1923 — February 27, 2014
Fernie Gordon Willis, 90, of Beaufort, died Thursday, February 27, 2014 at Carteret General Hospital.
A funeral service will be held 2:30 pm Sunday at First Freewill Baptist Church with Rev. Richard Patterson officiating. Interment will follow at Carteret Memorial Gardens.
Fernie was born on November 29, 1923 to Adrian and Carrie Styron Willis of Harkers Island, NC. His siblings were his sister Lettie and brother Llewelyn.
As a child he spent his childhood and youth playing along shore and boating and fishing with his father.
Fernie graduated from Harkers Island School. Afterwards he served in the US Navy for two years and ten months, he was assigned to naval amphibious forces special support group, and participated in the Normandy invasion at Omaha Beach. He was awarded the French Government Jubilee and Liberty medal, the American Campaign medals, the European/African Campaign medal with Battle Star and WWII Victory medal.
After returning from the war he married his childhood sweetheart Lola Fulcher on April 12, 1946 in Beaufort. They made their home on Harkers Island and had one son Adrian Martin Willis.
Fernie worked at Cherry Point, NC retiring after 35 years as Supervisory Aircraft equipment Specialist. Fernie was a active member of Harkers Island United Methodist Church while living on the Island. Music was always a special part of Fernie's life. Along with his wife he sang in a trio that ministered to many area churches. He was a member of First Free Will Baptist Church while living in Beaufort where he also enjoyed serving in the choir. His beautiful tenor voice will be a lasting cherished memory.
He is survived by a son Adrian "Martin" Willis and wife Sharon of Harkers Island; three grandchildren, Adrienne Jungmann and good friend Mark Eichhorst, Julie Willis and husband Jay, and Heather Golden and husband Michael; four great grandchildren Mallory, and Caroline Lawrence, and Hannah and Joshua Jungmann; nephew Craig Lewis; and niece Llewella Nelson.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 65 years Lola D. Willis, parents Adrian and Carrie Willis, one sister Lettie Lewis, and one brother Llewellyn Willis.
Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 pm Saturday at Munden Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mundenfuneralhome.net
Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. of Morehead City.
A funeral service will be held 2:30 pm Sunday at First Freewill Baptist Church with Rev. Richard Patterson officiating. Interment will follow at Carteret Memorial Gardens.
Fernie was born on November 29, 1923 to Adrian and Carrie Styron Willis of Harkers Island, NC. His siblings were his sister Lettie and brother Llewelyn.
As a child he spent his childhood and youth playing along shore and boating and fishing with his father.
Fernie graduated from Harkers Island School. Afterwards he served in the US Navy for two years and ten months, he was assigned to naval amphibious forces special support group, and participated in the Normandy invasion at Omaha Beach. He was awarded the French Government Jubilee and Liberty medal, the American Campaign medals, the European/African Campaign medal with Battle Star and WWII Victory medal.
After returning from the war he married his childhood sweetheart Lola Fulcher on April 12, 1946 in Beaufort. They made their home on Harkers Island and had one son Adrian Martin Willis.
Fernie worked at Cherry Point, NC retiring after 35 years as Supervisory Aircraft equipment Specialist. Fernie was a active member of Harkers Island United Methodist Church while living on the Island. Music was always a special part of Fernie's life. Along with his wife he sang in a trio that ministered to many area churches. He was a member of First Free Will Baptist Church while living in Beaufort where he also enjoyed serving in the choir. His beautiful tenor voice will be a lasting cherished memory.
He is survived by a son Adrian "Martin" Willis and wife Sharon of Harkers Island; three grandchildren, Adrienne Jungmann and good friend Mark Eichhorst, Julie Willis and husband Jay, and Heather Golden and husband Michael; four great grandchildren Mallory, and Caroline Lawrence, and Hannah and Joshua Jungmann; nephew Craig Lewis; and niece Llewella Nelson.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 65 years Lola D. Willis, parents Adrian and Carrie Willis, one sister Lettie Lewis, and one brother Llewellyn Willis.
Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 pm Saturday at Munden Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mundenfuneralhome.net
Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. of Morehead City.
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