Orval Lynch Willingham

Funeral is 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Boyd with burial in Boyd Cemetery. Family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Pastor Yates Folk will officiate. Pallbearers include Lonnie Willingham, Chauncey Willingham, Allen Holub, Donald Fox, Joseph Vaughn, Ken McCall, Jason Tsai, Robert Russell and Dorman Holub.

Orval was born on June 11, 1926 to Lon C. and Minnie (Whitwell) in Brown, Clay County, Texas. Orval graduated from Boyd High School in 1943. He then served his country in the United States Army during World War II in Italy. He was united in marriage to Erna Henderson on June 14, 1947 and made their home in Boyd. Orval worked for Consolidated Vultee for 16 years and then worked for Bell Helicopter for 25 years before retiring in 1986. He was active with his family, community and church serving as a deacon at Boyd Church of Christ for many years. His quick wit and story telling always entertained his family. Orval enjoyed gardening and any reason to spend time outdoors. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, friend and will be missed by many.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Dr. Rick Willingham; his four brothers and his three sisters.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 64 years, Erna Willingham of Boyd; his daughter, Judy Russell and husband Robert; his sister, Iva Nell Kemp and husband David; his grandchildren, Megan Russell, Victoria McCall, Robert Russell, Alexis Willingham, Kate Tsai and Callie Willingham; 5 great grandchildren; other family members and a host of friends.

Christian-Hawkins Funeral Home, Boyd, Texas-940-433-5310