Willis Ray Rhodes Obituary (1925 - 2005)

Mr. Willis Ray Rhodes, 79, of Madisonville, KY died at 7:10 A.M. Thursday, January 13, 2005 at the NHC Healthcare. \ Born July 20, 1925 in Madisonville,he was the son of the late James Spurlin Rhodes and Gordia Felty Rhodes. He was also preceded in death by one daughter, Betty Ellen Rhodes in 1944; five brothers, Lawrence, B.L., Elbert, Justice and James Rhodes and one sister, Gusta Johnston. \ He was a distributor for bakery goods; retiring from Dolly Madison Cakes, Lil Debbie and was a WalMart greeter. He was a member of the Madisonville First Christian Church and a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Post #5480 , the American Legion Post #6 and a fifty year member of the Madisonville Masonic Lodge #143 F&AM. He was a WW II Army veteran; having served in the 79th Infantry Division during the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Purple Heart during this time. He was a charter member of the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. He was also an avid horse racing fan. \ He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Martha Lois Thornsberry Rhodes of Madisonville; two daughters, Barbara Rhodes Alexander and Elaine Rhodes Josleyn, both of Madisonville; one son, Steven Rhodes of Lexington, SC; one brother, Delbert Rhodes of Boonville, IN; one sister, Margaret Rhodes Walton of Owensboro, KY; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. \ Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 15, 2005 at the Barnett-Strother Funeral home with Pastor Don McLaughlin, Pastor Roelan Ledbetter and Pastor Brian Morse officiating. Burial will follow in the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens with Military graveside rites conducted by VFW Post #5480, American Legion Post #6, American Legion Post #2 and American Legion Post #310. \ Friends may call from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Friday and on Saturday from 9:00 A.M. until the service at Barnett-Strother Funeral Home. Masonic services will be held at 7:00 P.M. Friday night at the funeral home. \ Memorials may take the form of donations to the Masonic Lodge #143 F&AM, Earlington First Christian Church or the Madisonville First Christian Church. \ \ \ \