Willis Madrey

Willis “The Godfather” Samuel Madry departed this life on January 20, 2011. He was born on December 27, 1931 in Nashville, Tennessee to Ewell Wesley Madry and Kathleen Reynolds-Madry.

During his early years he was educated in Nashville, TN (Davidson County). Willis moved to Gary, Indiana at age 14. For two and a half years he did not attend school and was encouraged by his loving sister Janie Willis to move to Pulaski TN to finish his education. While in high school, he was an outstanding guard on the football team and was a great short-stop on the baseball team. In 1951, he graduated from Bridgeforth High School in Pulaski, TN. He attended Lane College in Jackson, TN.

His professional career started when he served in the U.S. Army from 1953 - 1955 as an Army engineer in Korea and Guam. After receiving an Honorable Discharge he returned to Gary, Indiana and worked for Youngstown Sheet and Tin Mill. He moved to South Haven, Michigan in 1964 and worked for Everett Piano Company where he retired after 20 years of service.

During Willis’ 79-year life’s journey he lived a courageous and adventuresome life. His faith in God moved him to exercise his tireless energy in having compassion for all mankind. He was well-known for telling jokes and being an outgoing person. If you found a crowd of people around, you would find him in the midst of the group having a good time. Willis cherished spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed taking “Mother” and his family to many of the Madry-Brown Family Reunions throughout the United States. He nurtured many of his nephews and nieces throughout their life and was honored to have special bonds with his nieces, Izora “Nancy” Jacque and Nina Madry-Jackson. He yearned for his children, grand-children and family members to further their education and strive for success. During his illness, he was able to remain at home with the loving care of his sons Andre and Felix and great-granddaughter, T’Keyah Gowens all by his side.

A loving husband and tremendous father leaves behind his wife of 41 years, Annetta; five children, Felix (Shelia) Daniels (Gary, IN), Debra Turnipseed (Gary, IN), Valerie (Curtis) Lewis (Gary, IN), Andre (Patrice) Madry, Sr. (Miami, FL), and Russette (Dwight) Jackson (Arlington, IN); 14 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Kathleen Elaine Morris and Zenobia Marable; one sister-in-law Willie Mae Madry; two brother-in-law’s, John Willis and Andrew (Janis) Jackson, Jr.; and a host of many other relatives and friends. Willis was preceded in death by his parents, Ewell Wesley and Kathleen Reynolds-Madry; one sister, Janie Willis; two brothers, Ewell Madry Jr. and Nelson Madry; one devoted cousin, Marie Farley; two grandchildren, CaraMia Turnipseed and Felix Daniels, III; and one great-grandchild, Cristian Hodge.