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George "Butch" Willingham

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George Willingham Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jun. 10, 2012.

"His lord said unto him, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.'" - Matthew 25:21

George "Butch" Willingham entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior peacefully in his sleep on June 3, 2012, while in Islamabad, Pakistan, on a Missions trip.

A memorial service and celebration of Butch's life will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 12, 2012, in the chapel of Green Acres Baptist Church with the Rev. Jerry Phelps and Dr. David Dykes officiating. Burial will be at Oaklawn Cemetery, Center, at a later date under the direction of Burks Walker Tippit Funeral Directors, Tyler.

He was born Dec. 6, 1943, in Waco to the late George A. Willingham Sr. and Mattie Frank Ballard.

Butch worked as a financial planner for Met Life and was active in many aspects of his church family. During his membership at Tyler Metro Church, he began serving in the Missions field. His love of travel also carried over into his membership at Green Acres Baptist Church, where he also became actively involved with Missions program there. At Green Acres he was a member of the Jim and Cheryl Echols Sunday School Class and sang in the Celebration Choir, as well as narrating during services.

His devotion to others was seen also in his local commitment as he served as chairman on the Traffic Safety Board, Place No. 7, for the city of Tyler for the 2005 to 2013 term. He also loved bike riding and served on the Bike Texas Board, an advocacy group for biking, as well as serving as past president of the Tyler Bicycle Club.

Survivors include his wife of eight years, Kathy Willingham of Tyler; daughters, Elisabeth Willingham Eckerfield and husband Capt. Thomas Eckerfield, USMC, of Tyler, Mandy Willingham Campbell and husband Joel Campbell of White Oak; stepbrother, Don Wyatt of Nacogdoches; grandchildren, Sunny Eckerfield, Mason and Clayton Campbell. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Charlcie Rudd Willingham; a sister, Sharon Willingham; and a stepbrother, Hal Wyatt.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Gideon's International.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.