Leroy Ellis Willie

Born Feb. 10, 1914, in Folsom, Leroy Ellis Willie passed away peacefully Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, in Baton Rouge, where he had resided most of his life. He was a humble and generous man always putting family and friends first in his life. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Marie Davidsaver Willie; his parents, Robert and Pearl Core Willie; brothers, Hulos, George, Lindsay and Russell Willie; and sister, Myrtle Willie Passman. He is survived by son, David Willie and wife Anita, of Crawford, Texas; and daughters, Marsha Hightower and husband John, of Baton Rouge, Geralyn Johnson and husband William, of Mandeville and Colette Thomas and husband Bruce, of Baton Rouge. Leroy is also survived by two sisters, Fay Willie Bishop of Hammond, and Annie Willie Hoosier of Montpelier. He is survived by his 13 grandchildren, Melanie, Anja and Dillon Willie, Stephen Hightower, Emily Hightower Beach and husband David, Brian Hightower and wife Krissy, Bradley Johnson and wife Nicole, Rebecca Johnson Kinnard and husband Luke, Alan Thomas and wife Lindsay, and Jill, Renee, Dana and Eric Thomas; and great-grandchildren, Mary Ellis and Howard Patrick Beach. Leroy grew up in Livingston Parish during the Great Depression and through hard work and determination was the first of his family to receive a college education, graduating from LSU in 1939 with a bachelor of science degree in vocational agricultural education and serving as president of his senior class. After employment as a schoolteacher for 3 years, Leroy joined theU.S. Navy in 1942 and served meritoriously in World War II as a gunnery officer. Lt. Willie earned six medals and a clasp for his naval service. During World War II, he had the distinction of having served in all theaters of operations: Europe-African-Middle and Asiatic-Pacific.. The medals he earned wre American Theater medal, European-African-Middle Eastern and Asiatic Pacific Campaign medals, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service, China Service and Japan Occupation Medal. He was very proud to serve his country during time of war and exemplified and shared the best qualities of so many of his compatriots of the Greatest Generation. Leroy was retired from the Natural Resources Conservation and Development Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and became well known statewide via the broadcast and print media providing regular reports on economic development and agriculture. He personally filmed, interviewed and gathered the content for his programs and articles and was a frequent feature writer for The Advocate and hosted a portion of the noon day news on WBRZ-TV for many years. Even though most of his career and life was spent living in Baton Rouge, Leroy and Marie always looked very fondly upon their time living in Donaldsonville in the late 1940s and most of the 1950s. Shortly after retiring in 1976, he developed a keen interest in the history of his family and this curiosity led to his deep involvement in genealogical pursuits and organizations and the honing of his interest in studying history. In 1982, he wrote "Willey, Core, Bennett and other Ancestors," a hardbound, nearly 400 page complete genealogy of his family, and this was followed by a multitude of books and papers about Louisiana history which he largely wrote in conjunction with his membership and service to various organizations. He was an officer and member of many organizations including serving as president of the Baton Rouge Genealogical and Historical Society, vice president of the Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Society, a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of the Confederate Veterans, General Society of the War of 1812, Somerset Chapter of the Magna Charta Barons, Colonial Order of Charlemagne, Historic New Orleans Collection Quarterly and Le Comite des Archives de la Louisiane. In addition, he was a member of the professional agriculture honor society Sigma Gamma Delta, the American Legion and was active in the Catholic Church, serving in many capacities through the years. He was twice awarded the Meritorious Service Medal from the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution in recognition of notable services on behalf of our American principles. Leroy was an avid gardener who enjoyed growing unique Louisiana plants, and his outdoor fish fries were legendary. Visitation will be at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 2025 Stuart Ave., on Monday Sept. 13, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Aloysius Church at 11 a.m. Pallbearers will be his sons-in-law and grandsons. Honorary pallbearers are Al Schupp, Ph.D., Eugene LeBlanc, Walter Wright, Leo Blaize, M.D., and John Davidsaver. Special thanks to The Carpenter House of St. Joseph Hospice for making his last days peaceful. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Aloysius Catholic Church.