Name: Visitation for Willis "Willie" Pledger Jr.
Start: 2017-04-24T14:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-04-24T15:00:00.000Z
Location: Groover Funeral Home

Willis "Willie" Pledger Jr. was born in Bradenton, FL on October 3, 1943 to the late Willis F. and Elise Hampton Pledger. He passed away on April 20, 2017 at his home on Snead Island, Florida surrounded by his loving family and loving dog Sidney "Wiggles". He is survived by his loving soulmate Martha Horne, his sons Shane M. Pledger (Diane) of Ft Myers, Blair Pledger of Sarasota, Willis F. "Will" Pledger III (Robin) of Ft Myers, Linc R. Pledger (Caren) of Ft. Myers, daughter Monica D. Pledger of Ft. Myers, Stepdaughters, Melissa Kipisz (Mike) of GA, Natalie Duff (Marc) of GA, 10 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, Aunt Kathleen Parish, 5 nieces, 1 nephew, as well as countless friends. Predeceased by his parents, sisters Karen Pledger Ferney, Frankie Pledger Kermode. Willis attended Sarasota High School and his career was in Sales and Management with Hughes Supply of Florida for 45 years. He was an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing, camping, air boating, motorcycle and car racing. Services will be Monday April 24, 2017 Groover Funeral home, 1400 36th Ave E, Ellenton, Florida 34222. Visitation will be 10:00 am and services immediately following at 11:00 am and interment will be at Fortner Cemetery, 6400 136th Terrace East Parrish, Florida. Condolences may be left at www.groover-funeral-home.com

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Published by Bradenton Herald on Apr. 23, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Willis Pledger

15 Entries

Donald smith

April 16, 2024

I miss you old friend

Garry Grady

July 5, 2020

Worked at the Yamaha Shop in fall of 73 when Chicago was out with "Feelin Stronger Everyday, when McCartney was out with "My Love". When Seals and Crofts were out with "Diamond Girl" and another tune called "Going around in Circles" by Billy Preston and these songs as well as the very motorcycles we sold and serviced during this time remind me of "Silly Willy" as we called him. We had fast RD 350's and we had Joey Gratton and we we had the best front man a shop could ever ask for !!! I was only 16 years old and loved knowing him as well as the memories The Yamaha Shop gave everyone involved. It was bikes and memories and people that would never ever be able to live like that ever again!!! Silly Willy was one of the greatest sales/people guys ever to play the game for real.. And all our friends that knew him loved him. i was one of them...........Garry Grady

Skip Hughes

June 26, 2017

I had the pleasure and honor to work with Willis for many years. Willis would always come into the office with a smile and good morning no matter how things were going. He loved playing jokes and was one of the best at doing so.
Years ago in the early 80's we went grouper fishing one day (actually overnight) with a good customer about 55 miles offshore. Weather turned real bad that night and the boat that ran out with us sank in the middle of the night. The next morning in 12ft seas Willis spotted the passengers in the other boat and we pulled them into our boat. I know that day the good Lord was looking upon everyone as it was a true miracle that we located them and made it back to shore 7 hrs later. Through the whole episode Willis stayed calm and cool as he always did even with a big smile on his face.
Although I haven't seen Willis in years he is always in my memories at Hughes Supply Ft. Myers.
You were always a true gentleman.
God Bless

Martha

May 31, 2017

How do you put into words how amazing this man was to me and to each person he knew. Little did we know the wonderful friendship and bond that would develop over the years ahead when we first met. The last eighteen years as my soulmate has been the best years of my life. Willis taught me how to look at the world through his eyes and for that made me a better person. I will cherish all the wonderful times, memories and dreams we made over the years together. Willis was kind and would give a helping hand to anyone in need. Willis would not tolerate a person who would lie or steal from another and how a person kept his word meant who they were. Always wanting to share the harvest with others with veggies an fruit and anything extra with others needing a helping hand. I will always remember his wonderful smile and how it would brighten any room. His baby blue eyes that sparkled when he would look at you. He always knew how to melt my heart and I will love him forever. Thanks for loving our family and being the amazing partner in life with me that you were.

Heather Sorsby

May 19, 2017

Today we laid my uncle Willie to rest. He taught me many things in life that I had no idea he taught me until today. To do best at whatever you do with honesty and love with your whole heart. His final wish was for others - for others to love and accept Jesus Christ so one day he would see us again. He touched many today and I hope he is smiling down knowing he made a change not only today but the time he was here with us. May you know your smile, love and honesty will forever be in my heart.

Love Always - Heather

May 9, 2017

My husband grew up with Willie and loves to tell how they rode double on a bicycle, Wayne backward on the handlebars, both peddling for 15 miles to Willie's Grandmother's house to ride a horse for just a few minutes then peddled back home. I met Willie when Shane and Blair were babies. As things do lives and locations changed, we saw each other occasionally at weddings. Much later Willie moved back to Sarasota as a manager at Hughes Supply, he gave our son a job there and began the quest for us to purchase a camper. We met Martha and we became instant friends(both of us are Carolina girls). We bought a camper and went on the best vacation we ever had, all the way to South Dakota with many stops on the way. My one desire was to see Graceland so we went and were surrounded by Elvis everywhere. I have to say Willie and I were the map readers,if not for us Martha and Wayne would still be out there. So many memories of that trip, too many to list. We loved Willie Willie as a brother and will miss him so much, his smile, his laugh, his tricks and tall tales where you had to say "you promise" to know if he was pulling your leg. He was a wonderful generous man who gave and gave he always had time for friends or strangers who were in financial or emotional need. I wish I had thanked him for bringing my dear friend Martha into my life. He knew we loved him, the last time we saw him was a couple days before he left us, on the way out the door I said one last time "I love you Willie Willie" he was to weak to talk but he gave me a thumbs up, that memory added to all the others are treasured moments for us. By the way when we returned from our trip he said "you know what I liked best of all?" Graceland! Rest with our Father now dear friend, we will meet again!!

Natalie Duff

May 2, 2017

Who knew one man could have so many names. Some knew him as Willis, Willie, spouse, dad, brother, friend but I knew him as my Willie Willie.

At a young age this wonderful man and role model came into my life. As a child I remember always wanting to run errands with my parents so I could go to Hughes Supply to see this man. As many know he was the best at playing jokes on people; I was always trying to get one over on him. When I was introduced to the whoopie cushion I just knew I would get him. I wasn't as good as he was but I never gave up trying. Lol.

Through the years I've had the honor of seeing what hard work, being honest, having good values and loving life looked like.

I will cherish all our great times we had at the races, camping, 4th of July's at the lake, family gatherings and him making me his famous baby back ribs.

This man loved me unconditionally and was one of my biggest cheerleaders. I can hear him now telling mom "she is really mine".

Thank you Willie Willie for being the dad I needed in my life. Until I see you again in heaven.

Love Always!

Willie, Karen, Nancy & Frankie - about 1945.

Nancy Tyler-Sandahl

April 24, 2017

I have such fond memories of Willie over the years! I think my favorite is when he was around 12 or so, he loved pestering his sister Frankie and I - as little brothers do. So thankful I got to see him in 2015 when I was home for a visit. He even bought me lunch that day ! : -))

Paul & Vicki Gales

April 24, 2017

Very sorry for your loss.

Jill Warfield

April 24, 2017

Looking through the photos ~ so many memories were attached to Uncle Willis, Aunt Judy, and my wonderful cousins. I wish we were able to be there today with you all. His loss is felt deeply and his presence will be missed. With love and prayers...

April 24, 2017

My husband (Bobby) and I knew Willis for a many years. He had a smile that would light up the room. We will miss him every day. I know that when I go to visit Martha, his soulmate and my best friend, I will alway's be looking for him. God took him so that he could be in no more pain and now he is in peace.
Bobby and Sandy Rohring

DAVID & MONIQUE FRY

April 23, 2017

I did not know Mr Willis Pledger, but I have known his son Shane Pledger for many years and based on the fact that Shane Pledger is one of the hardest working, trust worthy and honorable men I have ever met, I can only imagine that Mr Willis Pledger was the person who instilled these incredible qualities in Shane. Mr Willis Pledgers legacy will live on through his children and grandchildren.
My sincere condolences to the Pledger family. God bless your family

charlie anderson

April 23, 2017

Willis will join our great lord, thank you for being my true mentor.

donald smith

April 23, 2017

Many years ago we were such good friends. I will aways remember how you loved catching those criders, snakes, armadilas and anything that moved. I am sorry that we lost touch.
RIP old buddy.

Judy and Larry Duff

April 21, 2017

Remember

Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.

By Christina Rossetti
The Poetry Foundation