Denzle Willey

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Denzle Willey, 88, formerly of Portageville, Mo., died Feb. 23, 2008, at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis.

Born June 13, 1919, in Wingo, Ky., to the late Doc and Opal Hayden Willey, he was a World War II veteran. During his service, he was wounded on Pallalu Island and received the Purple Heart. He was retired from the University of Tennessee in Memphis and a deacon at the Ardmore Baptist Church in Memphis.

On Oct. 12, 1947, in Portageville, he married Syble Tanner, who survives of the home.

Other survivors include: one daughter and son-in-law, Betty Jean and Larry Bullinger of Memphis; one brother and sister-in-law, L.B. and Dixie Willey of Bakersville, Calif.; and one sister and brother-in-law, Ann Catherine and Ray Moyers of Joplin, Mo.; and two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were: a brother, Hazel Willey on July 28, 2000; and one sister, Frances Willey.

Visitation will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville, where services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Burial with full military rites will follow in the Portageville Cemetery.