Ernest L. Willie

Ernest L. Willie -VENICE, FL - Ernest L. Willie, 84, Venice, formerly of Oxon Hill, Maryland died October 8, 2010. -Survivors include wife, Mildred; children, Linda Gibson of Venice, Janet Harrod of Kennesaw, Georgia, Steven Willie of Springfield, Virginia and Andrea Blankenship of Jacksonville, Florida; sister, Wanda Cranford of Macon, Georgia; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. -Highly decorated Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Ernest Willie fought in three wars, and served in a pioneering role in this country's space program. While attending Eastern High School in Washington DC, Ernie enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served in the European theater, in Italy and France during World War II. Honorably discharged, he reenlisted in the Air Force and went to Korea. In the early 1960s Ernie worked at early space mission tracking stations in Hawaii and Arizona. When Vietnam called in 1967 Ernie answered and was awarded the Bronze Star for his efforts. -After retirement from the Air Force in 1972, he began his second career in production and inventory management where he was recognized for innovative systems design and implementation at LogEtronics as well as being honored by the American Production and Inventory Control Society. Ernie completed his working life with Bibb Textiles in Macon Georgia where he was instrumental in automating that corporation's inventory control and production scheduling before retiring to Venice, Florida in 1994 with his wife of 65 years, Mildred. -Interment at a later date will be at Arlington National Cemetery. -In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution to the American Cancer Society. Ernest Willie