Willie Willingham, 82, of Amarillo, passed away on Sunday, October 3, 2021. Celebration of Life Services will be 2:00 PM Thursday at Cox-Rowley Funeral Home Chapel, 4180 Canyon Drive, with Bruce Broxson officiating.
Our beloved Willie, husband, Dad, Papa, coach and friend, was born to proud parents Durwood and Sybil Willingham on April 9, 1939 in Wellington, Texas. The family then moved to Borger where he was proud to say he graduated as a Borger Bulldog in 1956. Basketball was a memorable part of his life and upon graduation, he was offered multiple scholarship opportunities. He chose to stay close to home and attended Frank Phillips College. He humbly received many recognitions from his time on the court at Frank Phillips from 1956-1958. He was the first All-American from Frank Phillips, voted to the Region 5 All-Star team-first team, and led the Plainsmen to the top seed in the Region 5 tournament. He also obtained a scholarship and went on to play for Abilene Christian College.
He married Sylvia Sweet on August 22, 1958 and they had a beautiful marriage of 40 years. They raised three wonderful sons: Randy, Jack, and Tracy Willingham. Willie and Sylvia shared many adventures with their grandchildren before her passing in 1999. Some of their favorite pastimes were playing golf, having a picnic, or going to a ballgame.
With so much love to give, Willie then married his longtime friend Janie Scott on June 7, 2008 and added to his family her children Heather Malone and Wes Malone and their children. They have shared many laughs and memories.
Tall of stature and all heart, Willie was full of jokes and jest for life. You could always count on him to bring a smile to your face with one of his many pranks. He was the ultimate giver and lived by the philosophy that people should give more and take less. He never met a stranger and believed in the value of hard work. He worked 20 years for Tri State Bakery before working in the mobile home industry for 35 years. During his career, he treated all with dignity, respect and kindness. From 2010-2012, he won 17 sales awards for his excellent salesmanship. After helping so many people find a home to match their needs, he retired in 2014. Ever faithful, his love for the Dallas Cowboys and Texas lottery was consistent, win or lose.
Ever the gentleman and pillar of strength, Willie was blessed by so many people who loved him, three sons, two step-children, ten grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
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