Barney Mullis

MULLIS, Barney, 82, of Willow Oak, Fla., passed away Sunday, July 3, 2005, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was born August 5, 1922, in McRae, Ga. He moved to Mulberry with his family when he was one year old and resided there his entire life. He was an expert in the field of metallizing and started Metalcoat, Tri-Cote and Metalspray. Many of the rubberlining and metallizing companies in Polk County were established by people who at one time worked for Mr. Mullis. He was a member of the 89th Division during World War II under the command of George Patton that liberated the Ohrdruf concentration camp. He was a squad leader of a 60 millimeter mortar crew. He was past president of the dad's and booster's clubs of Mulberry High School, past president of the Kiwanis club of Mulberry, Fla., a member of Corinthian Masonic Lodge #191, Mulberry, Fla., Egypt Temple Shrine, Tampa, and Pine Grove Baptist Church, and past commander of Mulberry Memorial American Legion Post #72. He is survived by h is wife of 58 years, Evelyn Mullis, Willow Oak, Fla.; sons, Denny, Steve and Terry Mullis, all of Lakeland, Fla.; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Visitation was held 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 5, 2005, at Seigler Funeral Home, State Road 60 East, Mulberry, Fla. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 6, 2005, at Pine Grove Baptist Church, 2300 Pine Grove Road. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Florida Baptist Children's Home, P.O. Box 8190, Lakeland, FL 33802. A.M. Seigler Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.