Willie David Ledford

Willie David Ledford, age 71, resident of Cleveland, TN, born August 31, 1937 and died, October 17, 2008, at his residence. He was born on Slyco Mountain in Polk County, TN to the late Dewey Almond Ledford and Texie Mae Cheek Ledford. He was one of 16 children. He was a veteran of the United States Navy. He retired from General Motors Corporation, the old Fisher Body Plant and BOC in Willow Springs, Illinois with 31 years of service. He was a member of the UAW Local 558. He was a farmer and raised cattle. He loved life, his country and especially his family. He was preceded in death by his infant son, Willie David Ledford, Jr, granddaughter, Samantha Ellon Thoemke, his parents, brothers, A. B. , Corbett, George, Clyde, Johnie and Charles Leford. Sisters, Lula Mae Ledford, Emmerlean Ledford Draper, Geraldine Ledford Gauither and Lillie Ledford Browder.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 48 ½ years, Mazie Ellon Williams Ledford, son, Donald Wayne Ledford and wife, Lisa; daughters, Roxanne Sigmon Colbaugh, Lena Mae Ledford, Debra Ann Ledford Crowell and husband, Derek, Sara Louise Ledford Thoemke and husband, Jack. Grandchildren, Donald Ledford, Jr., Danielle Ledford, Ashley Sigmon, Tyler Colbaugh, Donald Wood III, Elizabeth Henderson, Adam Biesemeyer, Amanda Thornhill, Jack W. Thoemke III, David Thoemke, Bryan Crowell and Sarah Hodshire and 6 great grandchildren. Brothers, Paul and Virgie Ledford, Shorewood, IL, Joe Ledford, Sweetwater, sisters, Bonnie Goodner, Mattie and Bill Goben and Katheryn and Darell Cox all of Cleveland, TN. Special brothers in law, Claude and Darlene Williams, Gab and Carolyn Sue Williams, special sister in law, Emma Pope and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Monday, October 20, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. at Grissom Funeral Home with Rev. Ronnie Ledford and Rev. Walter Bateman officiating. Private graveside services will be held Tuesday, October 21, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at Boanerges Cemetery with Grandsons and Shawn Scott serving as pallbearers.

Memorial donations may be made to Trinity Hospice Group.

The family will receive friends Monday, October 20, 2008, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Grissom Funeral Home who has charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.grissomfh.net