Jerry Melton Willett of Lorena, Texas was born on November 09, 1947 in Waco, Texas, and entered his eternal home on December 3, 2022. Jerry was raised in Fairfield and graduated from Fairfield High School in 1966. He then attended Navarro Junior College before joining the U.S. Navy. Jerry served his country for 4 years during the Vietnam War aboard the carrier USS Ranger (CV A-61) and was honorably discharged in 1972.
Jerry was a hardworking family man. He always put his wife and their 4 children first. He loved Jesus, to make people laugh, and sports especially the Texas Longhorns, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Texas Rangers. He married Sally Ann (Waskom) Willett of Dew on September 13, 1974, and they were married until her death on October 15, 2019. Before enjoying a long retirement that began in 2005, Jerry worked for 30 years at the Owens-Illinois glass plant in Waco, TX.
Jerry married Linda Shaw (Stimmel) Willett on January 9, 2021. A few months later they found out he had cancer. Linda was just the angel Jerry needed during this time. She loved and cared for him until his death.
Jerry was preceded in death by his mother, Marie Willett Cockerell; father, Harold M. Willett; and wife, Sally A. Willett.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Linda Willett; his daughters, Karrie Horn and husband Paul, Katrina Reeves and husband Jeremy, Bonnie-Marie Eyre and husband Matthew; son, Terry Willett and wife Crystal; 9 grandsons; 2 granddaughters, sister, Paula Swinburn and husband Dale of Teague; nephew, Jeremy Swinburn and wife Natalie of Teague; and Sally and Linda’s family members.
Jerry’s Celebration of life was held Tuesday, December 13 at Community Fellowship Church of the Nazarene, in Waco with Pastor Jonathan Leonard officiating. Committal followed at 3 p.m. at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy www.parentprojectmd.org
