Willard Benson Allen Sr.

LEWES - Willard Benson Allen, Sr., fondly known as "Billy" and "Big Al", was born on June 22, 1932, in Pinetown, Lewes. He was the sixth child of eight, born to the late Charles Henry and Mary Elizabeth Allen. He departed this life on Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, at the age of 79. "Billy" married Dorothy Mae Pettyjohn on June 20, 1952. Six children were born of this union. Billy retired after 32 years as Load Master from the Dover Air Force Base in Dover. He was a longtime member of Burton Chapel AME Church in Milton. He was a former Building Fund President, former member of the Burton Chapel Male Choir, and Trustee Emeritus. Fraternally, he was a 32° Mason, past member of the Rising Sun Lodge #4, and a member of the G. Oscar Carrington Consistory #93 in Milton. Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mary Allen; daughter, Darlene Allen; brothers, Darl and Holmes R. Allen; and son-in-law, Clarence Beckett. He will be remembered and cherished by his loving wife of 59 years, Dorothy M. Allen of Pinetow; children, Willard (Geraldine) Allen, Jr. of Milton, Estheleta Beckett of Millsboro, Patsy Kellam of Milford, Veronica Pettyjohn (a granddaughter he considered a daughter) of Milford, John (Janice) Pettyjohn of Milford, Curtis (Joyce) Dix of Parksley, Va., Margaret Dix of Newark; siblings, Betty Washington of Pinetown, Jean A. (Roger) Wilson of Dover, and Robert L. (Lucille) Allen, Sr. of Columbia, Pa.; brother-in-law, Clarence Macklin of Ellendale; son-in-law, Chauncey P. Kellam of Lincoln; sisters-in-law, Virginia Pettyjohn of Ellendale, and Florence Bailey of Philadelphia, Pa.; sister-cousin, Bertha Turner of Jimtown; 24 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; his Masonic brothers; special friend, Dupree Bates; and a host of nieces, great-nieces, nephews, great-nephews, cousins, and friends. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday at 1 p.m., at the Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, Ellendale, with burial in the Henlopen Memorial Park, Milton. Family and friends may call today at the church from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday from noon until time of the service. Arrangements by the Cooper & Humbles Funeral Co., Accomac, Va.