James Willard Yancey

James was born on June 16, 1940 the oldest child Willard and Mae Belle Yancey from Duck Springs, Alabama. Upon his father’s passing, James, though only eight, assumed the responsibilities as the “man of the house” for his mom, and three sisters: Mary, Martha, and Brenda. For James, farm life in rural Alabama consisted of hay baling, and cotton picking; of raising cows for milk, a garden for vegetables, and chickens for eggs -- often augmenting the meager existence with rabbits, squirrels, and fish. However, he would reflect fondly on these days as both times of poverty and plenty, and view days spent setting trotlines in Big Wills Creek, plowing the fields for arrowheads, and exploring the ridges of Duck Springs as idyllic.

In 1958, James graduated from Etowah High School where he earned All-State Honors playing the snare drum under the direction of Dewey Countryman. Following high school, his sense of patriotism and service to both his family in Duck Springs and country prompted James to enlist in the United States Army serving the bulk of his tour in Thule, Greenland where he was recognized by a panel of his senior officers as a Soldier of the Month based on his knowledge of Army manuals, expertise on missile training and soldierly attitude and appearance.

After returning home in 1963 James fell in love with Dorothy Avery, the cute dark-haired girl behind the candy counter at Sears in Gadsden. The couple married on February 11, 1966 at Walnut Park Baptist Church and settled in Rainbow City where they welcomed their only child, Jill Anne, in October 1973.

James would proudly work at both Republic Steel and the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, but he chiefly worked for his family -- often double shifts to provide for his wife and daughter. He was immensely proud of and devoted to his family, and loved them fiercely.

Mr. Yancey coached and refereed youth soccer in Gadsden, serving as one of the first soccer commissioners of Etowah County and often traveling to Vestavia’s Wald Park for meetings to foster the fledgling program. His service to youth soccer in the 1980s was reflected in the success of Gadsden teams of the 1990s, of which he was incredibly proud.

He also invested in the young people in his daughter’s class. He dressed up for pep rallies, grilled hamburgers for booster clubs, built homecoming floats, and most memorably documented football games, bonfires, and cheerleader competitions with his camera and camcorder. For his efforts he was awarded Honorary Father for the Gadsden High School senior class of 1991.

Though a devoted son, brother, husband, and father, it was the role of grandfather that delighted James the most. He loved his three grandchildren exceedingly, and forged a bond with his oldest grandson Tripp that even autism could not diminish. Ever patient and kind, James would drive Tripp to school, to doctor’s appointments, to Dave and Buster’s, and even serve as a volunteer at Special Equestrians, a therapeutic horseback riding organization in Indian Springs, Alabama.

Through his life, he mirrored an earthly example of the love of his heavenly father. This love was shown through the music he sang in the choir and played at First Baptist Church, Gadsden, through his service there as deacon, and through his devotion to his family.

James is survived by his beloved wife, Dorothy; his daughter, Jill Wiggins of Hoover, Alabama (John); his grandchildren, John Wiggins III “Tripp,” Samuel, and Beatrice; his sisters, Mary Rodriguez, Martha Morton, and Brenda Mathis; his sister-in-law, Jane Avery Hicks (Jim); cherished nieces and nephews; and hundreds of now grown young people whose lives he has impacted.

James will be laid to rest, receiving military privileges at a private family burial at the National Cemetery of Alabama in Montevallo, after which the family will welcome friends at a memorial service at First Baptist Church, Gadsden on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 2 p.m.