Willie Clifton Varner

VARNER, WILLIE C. Willie C. Varner , U.S. Air Force Major (retired) age 94, died on July 2, 2011. Major Varner was born in October 1916 to James L. and Nina Varner. He graduated from Fairfield High School and worked for U.S. Steel in Fairfield, Alabama until enlisting in the Army Air Corps during World War II. After graduating from flight school in Stuttgart, Arkansas, he was assigned as a B-17 pilot in the European Theater. While there he flew 50 combat missions over Germany, Austria and Ploesti, Romania. His awards included the Distinguished Flying Cross. After retiring from the Air Force in 1963, he was active for many years in the Spring Hill Baptist Church of Mobile, Alabama, carrying meals to the homebound elderly and sick. Major Varner was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Jane Roton Varner, his brother, James Varner and his sisters, Nina Varner, Mabel Meeks and Elizabeth Gough. He is survived by his sister, Mary Varner Fievet and numerous nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. His family wishes to extend appreciation to his dear friend, Carolyn Street, her son, Robert and her daughter, Diane Fuller for the care and attention they gave to him in the latter years of his life. Graveside services will be conducted at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham on Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Services are under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel (205-879-3401) Homewood, Al. Online condolences may be made at ridoutsvalleychapel.com.