| Ernest L. Willie |
ERNEST L. WILLIE (Age 84) Of Venice, FL formerly of Oxon Hill,
Maryland died October 8, 2010.
Survivors include wife, Mildred; children, Linda Gibson of Venice, Janet
Harrod of Kennesaw, Georgia, Steven Willie of Springfield, Virginia and
Andrea Blankenship of Jacksonville, Florida; sister, Wanda Cranford of
Macon, Georgia; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Highly decorated Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Ernest Willie fought in
three wars, and served in a pioneering role in this country''s space
program.
While attending Eastern High School in Washington DC Ernie enlisted
in the Army Air Corps and served in the European theater, in Italy and
France during World War II. Honorably discharged, he reenlisted in the
Air Force and went to Korea.
In the early 1960''s Ernie worked at early space mission tracking stations
in Hawaii and Arizona. When Vietnam called in 1967 Ernie answered and
was awarded the Bronze Star for his efforts.
After retirement from the Air Force in 1972, he began his second career
in production and inventory management where he was recognized for
innovative systems design and implementation at LogEtronics as well as
being honored by the American Production and Inventory Control
Society.
Ernie completed his working life with Bibb Textiles in Macon, Georgia
where he was instrumental in automating that corporation''s inventory
control and production scheduling before retiring to Venice, Florida in
1994 with his wife of 65 years, Mildred.
Interment at a later date will be at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of
flowers, the family suggests a contribution to the American Cancer
Society .
Published in The Washington Post on October 13, 2010
Maryland died October 8, 2010.
Survivors include wife, Mildred; children, Linda Gibson of Venice, Janet
Harrod of Kennesaw, Georgia, Steven Willie of Springfield, Virginia and
Andrea Blankenship of Jacksonville, Florida; sister, Wanda Cranford of
Macon, Georgia; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Highly decorated Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Ernest Willie fought in
three wars, and served in a pioneering role in this country''s space
program.
While attending Eastern High School in Washington DC Ernie enlisted
in the Army Air Corps and served in the European theater, in Italy and
France during World War II. Honorably discharged, he reenlisted in the
Air Force and went to Korea.
In the early 1960''s Ernie worked at early space mission tracking stations
in Hawaii and Arizona. When Vietnam called in 1967 Ernie answered and
was awarded the Bronze Star for his efforts.
After retirement from the Air Force in 1972, he began his second career
in production and inventory management where he was recognized for
innovative systems design and implementation at LogEtronics as well as
being honored by the American Production and Inventory Control
Society.
Ernie completed his working life with Bibb Textiles in Macon, Georgia
where he was instrumental in automating that corporation''s inventory
control and production scheduling before retiring to Venice, Florida in
1994 with his wife of 65 years, Mildred.
Interment at a later date will be at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of
flowers, the family suggests a contribution to the American Cancer
Society .
Published in The Washington Post on October 13, 2010