Willis Eugene Lessley

Mr. Willis Eugene Lessley age 82 of Sylacauga passed away at Coosa Valley Medical Center on April 6, 2012. Funeral Services for Mr. Lessley will be a Graveside Service Monday April 9, 2012 at 11:00AM at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. Rev. Lewis Archer will officiate the service. Survivors are his Wife: Betty R. Lessley of Sylacauga, Sons; John Rozelle (Debbie) Lessley of Sylacauga, James Joseph (Christy) Lessley of Auburn, Al. Daughter; Sarah Jean Lessley of Gautier, Mississippi. Sister; June Lessley Atkinson of Sylacauga. Grandchildren; Dana Wykoff, Gena Lessley, Joe Lessley, Meg Lessley. Four Great Grandchildren. In Lieu of flowers or donations will be accepted at First United Methodist Church or B. B. Comer Lirbrary. Mr. Lessley was born in Sylacauga, Al on November 14, 1929. He grew up in Gantts Quarry, where his father, Clyde Lessley and his grandfather John Lessley worked for Alabama Marble Company for many years. Gene worked there durring the summer when he was in high school. He attended school at Gantts Quarry until he transferred to Sylacauga High School where he sang in the glee club under Travis Shelton and played football and baseball under Coach Pedro Black. He wanted to be on the tennis team, but the coach refused to let him hit a backhand without using both hands. He knew that he could hit a back hand quicker and easier with his left hand, so he did not stay on the tennis team. As a teenager, Gene caddied at Alabama Marble Company's golf Course. He gives credit for his ability to play golf to Mr. Smith, one of the men who played there. After he began making enough money to afford it, Gene began to play golf every chance that he had. During that time he has made six holes in one. After graduation from high school, he enlisted in the air force where where he served for four years including two years in Alaska. While there he and his friends fished and caught Rainbow Trout, Dolley Varden (sp), King Salmon and Hookout. When someone on the base caught fish or killed something which could be eaten, it was taken to the cook and it was prepared for the men. One cook fried salmon for them, and Gene said that it had a strong taste. Baked salmon tasted better to him. At one point in time a large, tall man from Alabama was a cook on the base. Once when fish was brought in , the man said, "God, don't you wish you had some catfish." While gene was in the U.S. Air Force, his sister, June was married to George Atkinson, who had come home after serving in the Marines during World War II. Since Gene was in Alaska at that time, he was unable to come home for the wedding, which was held at the Lessley home in Gantts Quarry, in Alabama. He worked for Dixie Color. He was the first Employee who Retired after 40 years of Service. And he was married to Betty for 58 years. Curtis and Son Funeral Home North Chapel will direct the service..