July 23, 1923 – Dec. 5, 2013

WOODVILLE — Graveside services for Willard Inman Lessley, 90, of Lessley, who died Thursday, Dec. 05, 2013, at Adams County Nursing Home, will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Evergreen Cemetery in Woodville with the Rev. Noel Read officiating.

Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery under the direction of Newman Funeral Home.

Willard was born July 23, 1923, in Wilkinson County, the son of Sadie Huff Lessley and James M. Lessley Jr.

In his early school years, during first through sixth grade, he attended the one-room school house, still standing, in Fort Adams, and was taught by his mother, Sadie Huff Lessley.

He was a farmer and cattleman, which was his vocation and hobby. He was a member of Lessley Memorial Methodist Church. To his many friends he was known as “T-Willy” or “Steamboat.”

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include one brother, James M. Lessley III and wife, Mary; two nephews, Jay Lessley and Joel Lessley and wife, Jennifer, all of Natchez; one niece, Elizabeth Lessley Van Uden and husband, Bryan Michael, of Kingwood, Texas; three great nephews, Turner Lessley of Natchez, Michael Van Uden and Grayson Van Uden, of Kingwood, Texas; three great-nieces, Taylor Lessley and Meredith Lessley, of Natchez and Lessley Van Uden, of Kingwood, Texas.

Pallbearers will be, Jay Lessley, Joel Lessley, Turner Lessley, Bryan Van Uden, Michael Van Uden and Jimmy Falkenheiner.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be make to your favorite charity.