Cleve Alon Willett

A resident of Baton Rouge and a native of Hall Summit, he was owner of Cleve Willett Tires Inc. Cleve died in his sleep on the morning of Friday, Dec. 25, 2009, at his home. He was 83 and a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. Survivors include his loving wife of 62 years, Frances Eichelberger Willett, of Baton Rouge; and children, Bryant "Frank" Willett and wife Marion, Rhonda Willett Hebert and husband Billy, Cleve "Alon" Willett II, and Ronald Arthur Willett and wife Sandra, all of Baton Rouge. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Dawn Beasley, Elizabeth Wilson, Melissa McNeal, Ambrey Nicholson, Bryant, Dustin, Alon Ill, Adam and Chad Willett, and William Hebert; and stepgrandson, Brent Ladner; 10 great-grandchildren and four stepgreat-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bryant and Fannie Willett; two brothers and four sisters. He loved to hunt, fish, coach basketball and most of all loved to garden. He had a master's degree from LSU in agriculture. He was a charter member of Jefferson Baptist Church where he served as one of the first seven deacons. He was a member of the Amvets, American Legion, East Baton Rouge and Southeast Lions clubs, Masons, Salvation Army, Shriners, VFW, Young at Heart and many more organizations. Visiting at Jefferson Baptist Church on Sunday, Dec. 27, was from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Visiting resumes at the church on Monday, Dec. 28, from 9 a.m. until service at 11 a.m., conducted by Dr. Tommy French and Dr. David Goza. Pallbearers will be his grandsons. Honorary pallbearers are his Adult I Men's Sunday School Class. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Gideon's International, Jefferson Baptist Church or a charity of your choice. Please visit the guestbook at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com.