James Willingham

James Leon Willingham, 80, of Odessa, passed away on Sunday, August 28, 2016 in Odessa.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00pm Friday, September 2, 2016 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home with Rev. Larry Hood officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

James was born in Shamrock, Texas to Allen Basil and Bonnie Ladelle on January 31, 1936. Leon was a kind and loving father, and friend. He loved his family and also enjoyed being part of many organizations. Throughout his life he served with the Texas Jaycees, played semi-pro basketball, was president of Association of Builders and Contractors, and the Permian Band Boosters as well as an election Judge in Ector County, in addition to being a founding member of Odessa TEA Party and countless other organizations and charities. He was also the owner of Process Instrumentation and Electrical and spent his retirement consulting for major oil companies.

Leon will always be known as a quiet, kind, and loving man, with love in his heart and a joke on his lips. He loved to make people laugh. Leon has done so much for many and will truly be missed by all of those who were blessed to have known him.

Leon is preceded in death by his parents A.B. and Bonnie Willingham, his wife of 60 years Shirley Ann Willingham and daughter Donna Kay Willingham.

Leon is survived by three children Mitzi Ann Wood, Cathryn Lynn Marshall, and Elizabeth Wooldridge, siblings Mike Willingham and Mary Sommerfeld, nine grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Leon's favorite charity, Cal Farley's Boy Ranch or to Alzheimer's research.

Arrangements are entrusted to Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home. To send family condolences please sign the guest registry at www.sunsetodessa.com

Service

Cemetery