Willard D. Talley

Willard D. Talley fell asleep in death February 14, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Willard was born in Midvale, Ohio on February 28, 1924. At an early age he moved to Cleveland, Ohio with his mother, Eva, and an older sister and younger brother, Arneda and Ned, respectively. There they resided with his maternal grandmother, Jeffie Proctor. Willard graduated from Central High in June of 1942. In high school, he lettered in basketball and was affectionately nicknamed "Oops" by his teammates. As a teenager, he developed and maintained the closest of friendship with others in the neighborhood through activities sponsored through the local Cedar YMCA. With this core group of teenage boys, he was one of the founding members of the "FIFAS" (Friends In Fellowship And Service.) This club grew in number over the years and is still active to this day. A veteran of World War II, Willard enlisted in the U.S. Army in December of 1942. He was assigned to the 2nd Calvary Division, 9th Regiment (Buffalo Soldiers). This Division was the army's last horse-mounted unit. During the war the "Calvary" became fully mechanized. As such, members of the 2-9 were transferred to other units serving in Europe and Northern Africa. On October 16, 1946 Willard married Alice "Maxine" Hill. They were married for 45 years, until her death in July of 1992. Through this union they brought forth, raised and nurtured six children. He was a loving husband and father. For most of his adult life, he worked two jobs to care for the needs of his family. He retired from both the U.S. Postal Service and the Cleveland Clinic after many years of faithful service. After retirement, he continued to volunteer his time with the Cleveland Clinic's Pastoral Care Service. He was always positive, and people found him to be encouraging and upbuilding. Willard leaves to cherish his memory: his children Pamela (Geofrey) Talley Joiner, Patrick (Karen) Talley, Lavada Wilson and Penny Talley (sons Phillip and Peter preceded him in death); cousins Carol Jean Strawder, Joanne Arjuron, Louise Evans; niece Darlene (Charles) Collins; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. He was a good man!! An ancient man of integrity asked Almighty God: "If a man dies, can he live again?" He knew the answer and responded to that rhetorical question in the affirmative when he said "You will call, and I will answer you. You will long for the work of your hands." - Job 14:14, 15. The family takes solace in knowing that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous and look forward to seeing their loved one again on a paradise earth as Jehovah had purposed from the beginning. (Acts 24:15, John 5:28, 29)