Mary Willey

Mary Kathleen Willey, age 81, passed away on January 3, 2023.  She was born on February 16, 1941 to the late Kenneth and Melba Mann.  Kathleen is also preceded in death by her husband, Melvin “Buck” Willey and brother, Kenneth Mann.

Kathleen is survived by sons, Rick Willey (Karen), Randy Willey (Liane), and Rob Willey (Becky); grandchildren, Shari Rader (Troy), Sheila Wilson (Aaron), Susie Jessup (Jay), Scott Willey (Carmen), Sam Willey (Diellza), Bryan Johnson (Jenni), Jessica Devine (Dan), Julia Fahy (Kevin); and Anna Shelton (Nathan); 27 great-grandchildren; and sister, Carol Joyce von Thun.

Kathleen loved God’s word and demonstrated her love by serving the people God placed in her life.  She along with her husband, Buck were instrumental in the founding of the Open Door Fellowship Church in Shelbyville, Missouri, taught bible studies to women, children, seniors and helped in AWANA.  In her “spare time”, she taught piano, voice, organ, and tennis.  Kathleen was a “spirited” woman with lots of energy!  She is remembered fondly for her hosting, baking and cooking large family meals.   Above everything, she loved the Lord and never wavered in her efforts to instill that same love of God and his word in her three boys.  Kathleen’s greatest accomplishment was raising her three sons whom she loved, cherished, sacrificially served, and even embarrassed her whole life!  Her grandbabies and great-grandbabies were her greatest joy.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. with the Funeral Service immediately following at Compassion Church Hendersonville (Restoring Hope Christian Academy) 1041 Centerpoint Road Hendersonville, Tennessee.  Interment to follow at Hendersonville Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Open Door Fellowship Church 209 E. Main Street Shelbyville, Missouri 63469.