Robert Lee Willingham, 71, a loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away Thursday, August 2, 2012, in Keene.
Service: 10 a.m. Saturday at Legacy Church of Christ, 8801 Mid Cities Boulevard. Committal: 4:30 p.m. in Rufe Cemetery, Rufe, Okla. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Biggers Funeral Home.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Texas Volunteer Firefighters Relief Fund, TVFFRF.org, or michaeljfox.org for Parkinson’s research.
Robert Lee Willingham was born July 25, 1941, in Boyd, to Ralph W. and “Okie” Sanders Willingham.
He graduated from Boyd High School in 1959 and attended Abilene Christian University. He was an avid athlete in all sports; he was a triple letterman in baseball, football and track and he volunteered for many years to coach many teams in the Mid-cities area.
Mr. Willingham was a captain in the Hurst Fire Department and also served as fire marshal. He was awarded the highest honor given by the American Red Cross, the Presidential Commendation for Life Saving, signed by President Gerald Ford, for his actions in a multi-casualty crisis in Lipan in 1974.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and “Okie” Willingham; and a grandson, Michael Methner. He was a member of Legacy Church of Christ and formerly attended Pipeline Road Church of Christ.
He is survived by: His wife, Evelyn L. Willingham; children, Robert Eric Willingham of Fort Worth, Lisa Methner and husband, Michael, of Cleburne, Jodie Lipscomb and husband, Danny, of Fort Worth, Shay Willingham and Sara Willingham of Cleburne; brothers, Drew Willingham of Arlington and Lonnie Willingham of San Antonio; and grandchildren, Christopher Willingham, Ethan Willingham, Matthew Willingham, Danielle Lipscomb, Sophia Lipscomb, Isabella Lipscomb and Aurora Willingham.
