On Friday, October 11, 2019, Joel Keith Willoughby passed away at the age of 59. Keith, as he was known by his family and “Stump” by most of his friends, was born on December 7, 1959 to Sam Willoughby and Patricia (Alexander) Stimpson. Keith graduated from Etowah High School and went to work at Gulf State Steel until it closed in 2000. Keith worked with sheet metal workers, boiler makers and other various company as well as until he suffered a head injury which led to his retirement.
On May 31, 1980, he married Janie Naylor; together they raised one daughter and two sons. Keith enjoyed many hobbies which included, building airplane models, hunting and fishing, playing guitar, and playing board games with his grandchildren. Keith was preceded in death by his father, Sammy Joe Willoughby; mother and father in law, Ernest and Edna Naylor; and brother in law, Billy “Tooter” Naylor.
He is survived by his wife, Janie Naylor Willoughby; daughter, Amber (Drake) Ridgeway; sons, Christopher (Laura) Willoughby and Johnathon Willoughby; mother, Patricia Stimpson; sister, Debbie (Tommy) Batson; brother in law, Jerry (Linda) Naylor; grandchildren, Landon, Lilly, Laney, Layla, Liam, Beau; aunts and uncles, Peggy (Marion) Moody, Danny (Sharon) Alexander, Phyllis Hafley, and Andy and Sandra Alexander; several nieces and nephews; and special friends, Wayne (Gayle) Chambers, Don (Dena) Bryson, Lee Vaughn Jr., Jeff Kulavitch, and Bobby (Lana) Chambers.
Funeral Service will be held at 3p.m. Saturday, October 19, 2019 at Morgan Funeral Chapel with Rev. Jimmy Umphrey officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service from 1p.m. until 3p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that you make donations to NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) of Alabama, St. Judes or to the family to help with funeral expenses.
The family would like to thank those who have expressed concerns during this time.
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