Arliss Eugene Willingham
Arliss Eugene Willingham, 91, of Woodson, Texas, passed away on Saturday, October 14, 2023. His graveside service at the Woodson Cemetery will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 21, 2023. A visitation will be held at Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home on Friday, October 20, 2023, from 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Arliss Eugene Willingham was born in Woodson, Texas, on February 24, 1932, to Maggie Lena (Brown) Willingham and Bernard Eugene Willingham. Arliss attended school in Woodson, where he graduated with the class of 1949.
After graduation, Arliss attended Daniel Baker College for a year. He decided to enlist in the US Navy in 1951. After boot camp, he was assigned to the USS ER-BIN (DD-631) for service off the coast of Korea. He served until 1954 and returned to civilian life, where he met and married June Hood in 1955.
The newlyweds moved to Beaumont, Texas, where Arliss attended Lamar Tech (Lamar University). While at Lamar, the couple welcomed a son in May of 1956. They welcomed another son in April of 1958. Upon graduation from Lamar Tech in 1959, Arliss and June moved back to the Breckenridge/Woodson area, where Arliss began his teaching career in Woodson.
Arliss later began teaching in Breckenridge. While in Breckenridge, the couple welcomed a daughter in 1992. Arliss and his family later moved from Breckenridge to Sweetwater, Texas. The family stayed in Sweetwater until Arliss’ retirement in 1992. Then, in 1994, Arliss and June moved to the family farm in Woodson and remained there until their passing.
Arliss was an avid fisherman and hunter well into his 80s. His other interests included beekeeping, grafting trees, raising quail and pheasant, stained glass work, painting, and cooking.
Arliss was preceded in death by his wife of over six decades, June Willingham; parents, Bernard and Lena Willingham; son, John R. Willingham; and sister-in-law, Verlene Willingham. He is survived by his son, Brad Willingham and wife Lisa; daughter, Arlissa Schober and husband Bill; brother, Glenn Willingham; and all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren with whom he loved spending time.
The Willingham family would like to extend a very special thank you to the staff of Healing Hands – specifically Jeanna, Marley, Karen, David, Alexis, and Michelle – and the staff of Beyond Faith – particularly Skye and Chandra – for their professionalism and exception level of care they provided for Arliss.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations in Arliss’ name be made to either the Woodson Volunteer Fire Department or the Throckmorton County EMS. Donations can be left at Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home. Condolences can be left online at meltonkitchens.com.
