Willis Elliott Manning Sr.

Willis E. Manning, Sr., 83, joined the Heavenly Choir on Wednesday, April 22, 2015. A celebration of his life will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday in the chapel of Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home with burial in Macon Memorial Park Cemetery. Pastor Robbie Shepherd and Pastor Lewis Stover will officiate. The family will meet friends from 6 – 8 p.m., Saturday at the funeral home. Memorial gifts may be made to Pine Pointe Hospice – Navicent Health, 6261 Peake Road Macon 31210 or to DayStar Church of God, 5874 Wesleyan Drive, North, Macon 31210.

Mr. Manning, son of the late Julian E. and Mable Green Manning, was born in Laurens County and was a graduate of Laurens County High School. He had lived in Macon most of his life and was retired from Robins Air Force Base in 1989 after thirty-nine years. Mr. Manning then worked at Mercer University for five years. For fifty years, he was a member of Napier Avenue Church of God where he served on Church Council and as Minister of Music. He was a member of DayStar Church for the past seventeen years where he served on Church Council and as Minister of Music.

Willis and Betty, his wife of sixty-one years, were featured by Ed Grisamore of the Macon Telegraph as young sweethearts who were partners in all areas of their lives. Betty and Willis were well-known in the Southern Gospel Music Community singing and playing for many weddings, funerals, senior citizens meetings and retirement centers, churches and community events. Probably their most requested song was “I’ll See You in the Rapture.” Everyone who knew Willis, knew first of his love for God, his love for his family, his church and His music for his entire life.

He was preceded in death by his brothers Henry Luther Manning, Albert Lee Manning, David Julian Manning and his sister, Mary Lorene Manning Horn.

He is survived by those he cherished most in this life, his wife, Betty Miller Manning; his son, Bill (Sharon) Manning of Macon; his daughter, Pam (Victor) Massey of Macon; his beloved grandchildren, Coby Manning, Mark Massey and Drew Manning; his sisters, Lois Bryant and Jeanette (Johnny) Barton; his brother, Gene (Helen) Manning and several nieces and nephews.

Visit www.maconmp.com to express condolences.

Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery has charge of arrangements.