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L.J. Willingham Obituary
July 10, 1936 – January 26, 2025
L.J. was born to L.J. and Ruby Willingham in Archer City, Texas on July 10, 1936. He passed away on January 26, 2025. He moved to California with his parents at about a year old and settled in McFarland. He was a graduate of McFarland High School. He married our mother Carole in 1955. Dad moved the family to the L.A. area in 1959, raising his family in Lynwood. He returned to Bakersfield in 1975. He retired from Texaco in 1992.
Dad was preceded in death by his parents L.J. and Ruby, his wife Carole, his sisters Judith Ethridge, Wanda Yocum and LaiLani MacDonald.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory, a daughter and son-in-law Sherry and Jeff Jones of Riverside, daughter and son-in-law Tana and Kenny Smith of Bakersfield and a son and daughter-in-law Barrett and Cyndi Willingham of Colorado and his sister Rhonda Salyer of Grove Oklahoma. Grandchildren Jeffery, Justin and Jordan Jones, Sundie and Bo Smith and Tommy and Ali Willingham, numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, cousins and nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers: Jeffery Jones, Justin Jones, Bo Smith, Jordan Jones, Coby Hannah and Mark Alyea. Honorary Pallbearers, Tommy Willingham, Zachary MacDonald and Charles T. Mast.
A celebration of life and burial will be held at the Chapel of Greenlawn Southwest Cemetery, 2739 Panama Lane, Bakersfield at 10:00am on Monday, February 10, 2025. The reception will be at the Elks Lodge, 1616 30th Street, after the service.
www.bakersfield.com/obits
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Greenlawn Funeral Home Southwest2739 Panama Lane, Bakersfield, CA 93313
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