ORANGE GROVE, Texas — Joseph Robert “Willy” Willesden Sr., 73, died on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, at his residence following an extended illness. He was born to Robert William and Lillian (Alger) Willesden on June 20, 1944, in Queens, N.Y. Willy, as he was known to his friends and family, served in the United States Navy. After serving in the Navy, he worked for many years in the oilfield and then worked for OxyChem as a Maintenance Supervisor.
Survivors include his wife, Evyonne Willesden of Orange Grove, Texas; two daughters, Rebecca (Brian) Carr of Orange Grove, Texas and Aimee Willesden-Wofford of Orange Grove, Texas; a son, Joseph (Blessing) Willesden of Orange Grove, Texas; two sisters, Edith Barton of Topeka and Joyce Burnham of Great Bend; two brothers, Robert Willesden of Great Bend and George Gorsline of Gulfport, Miss.; and six grandchildren, Justin Wofford, Doyle Wofford, Kyleigh Carr, Kinleigh Carr, Paige Willesden, and Remi Grace Willesden. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a step-father, George Gorsline.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4, at the River Hills Baptist Church in Calallen, Texas. Military Graveside funeral services will follow at the Orange Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Roberson Funeral Home Chapel in Alice, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The LCpl Colton Rusk Memorial Scholarship Fund C/O Coastal Bend Community Foundation, 615 N Upper Broadway, Suite 1950, Corpus Christi, TX 78401. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhomes.net.

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Nov. 3, 2017*