Willie Earl Howell

Willie Earl Howell GREENSBORO - Willie Earl Howell, 78, who had retired from the Florida Department of Corrections, died Tuesday, March 23, 2004, in Tallahassee. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Margaret Bateman Howell. The service will be at 11 a.m. EST Friday at Greensboro United Methodist Church, with burial at Sycamore Cemetery. The Revs. Sarah Walker and Don Jackson will officiate. Family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. EST today at McClellan Funeral Home in Quincy (627-1111). Born in Bainbridge, Ga., on Oct. 6, 1925, Mr. Howell lived in Greensboro for most of his life and was a former resident of Marianna. He had been employed by the Apalachee Correctional Institution. He was a veteran of World War II, having served as a ball-turret gunner on a B-17 in the 490th Bomber Group. He was a member and former chaplain of Orion Lodge No. 8 of F&AM (Masons) and a member of Greensboro United Methodist Church. In addition to his wife, he is survived by four daughters, Sandra Lieberman (and husband George) of Lawrenceville, Ga., Elaine Howell of Wewahitchka, Gloria Decker (and husband Danny) of Jacksonville and Charlotte Willeby (and husband Bill) of Greensboro; four sons, Charles Howell of Pensacola, Edward Howell (and wife Sherry) of Tucson, Ariz., Allen Howell of Greensboro and David Howell (and wife Becky) of Tallahassee; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three sisters, Martha Mumford, Bernice Mumford and Virginia Parker; two brothers, John Howell and James Howell; several nieces and nephews; and his two faithful dogs, Sam and Lacey.