(January 29, 1949 – December 1, 2021)
Jimmy Lynn Willey, retired Texas Department of Public Safety Senior State Trooper, age 72, of De Leon, passed from this life December 1, 2021. He was born January 29, 1949, in Somervell County, Texas to Frank C. Willey and Billie Taylor Willey.
After high school, Jimmy enlisted into the United States Navy and proudly served his country from 1969 until 1973. He received numerous decorations and commendations including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Combat Action Ribbon, and Navy Unit Citation.
After honorably completing his military service, Jim attended Sam Houston State University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice leading him to begin his thirty-year career as a Texas State Trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Jim’s entire life was focused to be in service of others. He entered DPS All Field Service Recruit School in December 1977. Upon graduation in April 1978, he was assigned to Texas Highway Patrol office in Groveton. In May 1981, he transferred to the Highway Patrol office in De Leon, later transferring in 1990 to the Driver License Office in Fort Stockton. The next year he was transferred to the Eastland Highway Patrol office. In 2001, he was pleased to come back to De Leon and serve until his retirement in February 2003. Jim decided he wasn’t quite ready to call it quits and came back under the Department’s retire/rehire program and remained in De Leon until he fully retired in April 2009. Jim was a loyal and dedicated servant to his country and his great state.
Jim was a long-time member of the De Leon Armstrong Masonic Lodge #445. He built many lasting friendships through his masonic service and brotherhood. Jim was a Christian and attended North Side Baptist Church as he was able. He loved all animals but especially enjoyed horses and dogs. His service dog, Maggie, was his close companion until the very end. He was a devoted and loving friend to so many and would help anyone in need if he was able. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Jim is survived by his son, Justin Willey and wife, Mindy, and their children Pecos and Tynleigh Willey; his half-brother, Virgil “Buster” Willey; half-sisters, Shirley Bodah, Laverne Emory, and Teresa Thomas and husband, Phillip; aunt, Pat Lesley; uncle, Bob Willey and wife, Karen; uncle, Gary Taylor; cousins, Lana Barrow and husband, Don, and Cathy Teague; significant other, Betty McGee; bonus grandchild, Maci Ellen Reyna; Comanche County DPS loyal partners who always had his back, Frank Cloud and Ricky Feist; other extended family; and many loving friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his grandmother who raised him, Ruth Willey; and his best friend, Dakota, his border collie.
Military graveside funeral services, with DPS Honor Guard, will be held Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. in Hillcrest Garden of Memory Cemetery with Minister Travis Dodson officiating. Honorary pallbearers are Texas DPS Officers, Armstrong Masonic Lodge #445, and Comanche County Law Enforcement Officers. No visitation is scheduled.
Memorial Suggestion: CLEAT Foundation www.cleat.org/pomf/
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