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Claude "Stoney" "Pappy" Willett

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David W. Carter High School

Claude Willett Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Dec. 24, 2023.

Claude "Stoney" Ray Willett ("Pappy")

January 25, 1954 - December 17, 2023

Claude "Stoney" Ray Willett, known affectionately as "Pappy" to those closest to him, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on December 17, 2023, in Grand Prairie, Texas, at the age of 69.

Born on January 25, 1954, in Dallas, Texas, Stoney was a proud graduate of David W. Carter High School. He dedicated over 40 years of service to the United States Postal Service, where his commitment and hard work left an indelible mark.

Stoney was a man of many passions. His love for playing guitar, particularly on his beloved Gibson Country Gentleman, brought joy to many. After retiring, he pursued his interest in martial arts and was eagerly anticipating his black belt test in Karate in 2024. A true family man, Stoney cherished every moment spent with his granddaughters, Audrey and Julia, sharing with them his love for aviation and life's simple pleasures. His warm presence and engaging stories will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He leaves behind a loving family: sons, Clinton (wife, Linsey) and Chad Willett; granddaughters, Audrey and Julia Willett (Clinton and Linsey); brothers, Benson (wife, Sharon) and Rocky (wife, JoAnn) Willett; brothers-in-law, Delbert "Coach" (wife, Danna) and Tony "Bear" Clinton; and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family members. Stoney was predeceased by his beloved wife, Lynne Clinton Willett, and his parents, Earnest and Dolly Willett.

A memorial service celebrating Stoney's life will be held on January 5, 2024, at 10:00 am at Mayfield Road Baptist Church, 1701 E. Mayfield Road, Arlington, Texas 76014. The family will receive friends for visitation on January 4, 2024, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the same location.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to his memorial fund: https://gofund.me/212d9d54, which will be used to help the family with memorial expenses with any remaining funds applied to his grandchildren's education funds.

Stoney's legacy of love, laughter, and music will forever echo in the hearts of those he touched. His spirit, forever adventurous and kind, will continue to inspire us all.

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Recent Activity

March 3, 2024

John Green posted to the memorial.

January 22, 2024

Steve Meeks posted to the memorial.

January 15, 2024

Arthur R Trafford posted to the memorial.

15 Entries

John Green

March 3, 2024

I worked with Stoney for life at post office. I am the one that called about twenty times before I looked at the obituaries I got worried about him. Friend that carried. John green

Steve Meeks

January 22, 2024

Dear Willett family, I just read of my friend Stoney´s passing. I was saddened but also glad of the times I spent with him. Had lunch with him 10 days before he passed. He had picked me up from a procedure I had and we went to Cracker Barrel afterwards. I know he´s a Christian and a great example of a man that lived for Christ and family. He spoke often of his family especially those grandchildren. We always enjoyed talking about our working days at the Post Office. I never met his family but felt like I knew them. He led a full Christian life and will always be an inspiration to me. I know I will see him again in Heaven.

Arthur R Trafford

January 15, 2024

Arthur Trafford

Stoney and I worked at the Bulk Mail Center off of I 30 from 1975-1979. He had a gentle and quiet spirit much like his brother Ben. Me and Stoney were roommates for a while until I bought a house, but he didn´t want to live in that part of town.

I talked with Stoney a few years back, and I was happy that he has a loving family. I was sad to hear that his wife died. He told me he is in a good church and that he is happy with how his life and his family turned out.

I never heard him use profanity, never saw him get angry, he respected women, and treated them right, and he had a Christian faith that works!!!

He had a friendly spirit and was too nice of a person to have any enemies.

Sincerely,
[email protected]

P.S. God bless his family, and extended family in the name of Emmanuel (meaning God with us)!!! AMEN

Mike Buesing

January 12, 2024

Stoney and Grand Master Gotcher would walk into my print shop together and they would help me design the black belt certificates. My wife called it 'barber shop' time. I remember Stoney seeing his certificate for the first time!
My wife and I took TKD lessons for a year at ABBA. It was hard but a lot of fun training with them.

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Archilene Smith

January 5, 2024

I remember when Stoney first started coming to Singles at First Baptist Church Duncanville. He and Lynn started dating and Kevin and I were couple friends, attending their wedding, then Stoney being an usher and Lynn running things behind the scenes. We spent many hours together, playing games, eating out, Bible Study. They helped us move 2 times and kept our Anthony when Natalie was born. Better friends couldn´t be found. These last few years Stoney and I have had long phone conversations and shared grand photos. He missed Lynn so much but loved his family and enjoyed his life. He was a good Christian man.

Jayson Cooper

January 4, 2024

Stoney was a friend. He would call me up when I would least expect it, just to talk. He was one of the very few who would call, not because he needed anything, but just because he wanted to see how you were doing. To show that someone cared what you thought. I will miss him. There are not too many in the world as good as him, and none like him.

Angela Smith

January 4, 2024

I met Stoney through American Black Belt Academy. A sweet, caring and humble man. We trained together in Taekwondo through the years, eventually becoming one of his trainers. He always put a smile on my face. Always enjoyed chatting with him and listening to all of his stories. He bragged so much about his kids and how much he loved them. Also about his wife, he missed her dearly. Stoney, you are missed, friend.

Travis Maxey

January 3, 2024

I met Stoney at Mayfield Road Baptist Church and we paled around guitar center a little bit. He owned a killer Chet Atkins guitar and B B King guitar that I always tried to get him to give me! He was a hoot and ill miss him dearly. Sweet memories. God bless his family. we will be praying for them.

Heather Hall Podbielski

December 28, 2023

Stoney was always encouraging and willing to help.

Russ & Jackie Pounds

December 27, 2023

Stoney was such a sweet guy and a beloved member of our Sunday Bible Study Class. He will be sorely missed by all of us.
Russ & Jackie Pounds

Brooksie Reynolds

December 26, 2023

I met Stoney at Mayfield Road Baptist Church. He felt he could talk to me about a lot of things and we talked two or more times a week. Most of what he talked about was his two sons and beautiful granddaughters Audrey and Julia. He was a Christian who loved God and you knew he did by the way he lived his life. He was playing Mexican Train Dominoes on Thursday with us senior adults and last day he played he won. I miss his smiling face and kindness he showed to us all.

Brooksie Reynolds

December 26, 2023

I first met Stoney at Mayfield Road Baptist Church. He was a caring, loving man who is loved by so many. He loved his two sons and adored his two granddaughters Audrey and Julia. He would call me every week and would send me pictures of the girls and I saved them all. I will miss our talks and seeing him at church every Thursday when he joined the seniors playing Mexican Train Dominoes.

Johnny Petree

December 24, 2023

I have known Stoney for over 40 years. You might say we married into the same family. His wife Lynne and my wife Donna were cousins. It seems like every week we were at each others house having dinner and playing games. Since moving to Wisconsin, Stoney always kept in touch with his weekly phone calls. We will surely miss those phone calls. Chad, Clinton, Rocky, and Benson, your Dad/Brother was a good man and it was my pleasure to have known him.

Cindy Colyer

December 24, 2023

Very loving and strong Christian man. Loved everyone in the church

Steve Smith

December 24, 2023

I met Stoney at Mayfield Road Baptist Church where we played in the orchestra together
We enjoyed each others company and always enjoyed sharing with him

So sorry for the loss

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