Willie James House, Jr., age 66 of Mansfield, OH beloved husband of Linda (nee Wilkinson) entered into rest Saturday, July 5, 2025 at Country Meadows Nursing Facility, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s and cancer, with his wife by his side. He was born in Wooster, OH April 13, 1959, to Willie J. House, Sr. and Ernestine Gadsden House.
He grew up in Wooster and graduated from Wooster High School in 1977. He served as a military police officer for the US Army for three years in Germany. After which he served 25 years at the Wayne County Sherriff’s Office as a deputy and retired in 2007.
He and Linda married on August 30, 2014, in an outdoor ceremony at the Knox County Horse Park where they were members. He was a die-hard Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders fan and loved watching the Cleveland Guardians baseball. He took much pride and enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle. Willie enjoyed being outside, especially trail riding on their horses. He loved to travel, spur of the moment exploring new places around wherever they were, especially when they lived in Arizona. His favorite was finding and eating at Mexican restaurants.
He very much loved and enjoyed the children and grandchildren that he acquired when he married Linda.
Willie is preceded in death by his father, Willie J. House, Sr., his sister Persophenea House and stepson, Mark Wilkinson.
He is survived by his wife of 11 years, Linda Wilkinson-House of Mansfield; his mother Ernestine House of Wooster; sister Virnette House-Browning of Westlake, and brothers Dwayne and Darrell, both of Wooster, along with many nephews and nieces, aunts and uncles.
He is also survived by her children, Frank Wilkinson, Wooster, Timothy Wilkinson, Ocracoke, North Carolina, Christina (Brent) Coffy, Ashland, OH, Erin (Jon)Stewart of Scottsdale, AZ, and Carianne (Scott) Baltzell of Mansfield; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Willie’s life will be held on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at the Life Celebration Center, 129 S. Main Street, Mansfield OH 44902, officiated by Celebrant Mark Dettmer; the memorial service will be at 5PM, with a gathering from 6-7PM.
Private burial will be at Western Reserve National Cemetery at a later date.
Donations can be made to Amedisys Foundation in care of Pathways Hospice, 41 Briggs Dr, Unit 3, Ontario, OH 44906, for their great and compassionate care of Willie.
Grateful for what we had – Mourning for what could have been.
Wappner Funeral Directors – Diamond Street is honored to serve the family.
