Obituary of Willie Paul Pickett

Mr. Willie Paul Pickett, age 69, died unexpectedly from probable complications of his long-term illness at Southeast Alabama Medical Center on Monday, May 23, 2011. Funeral services will be 2:30 P. M. Friday, May 27, 2011, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Reverend Tommy West officiating. Interment will follow in Shiloh Cemetery in Clayhatchee, Alabama with Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P. M. Thursday. At other times the family will receive visitors at the family home located at 252 Mill Street in Webb, Alabama 36376. Serving as pallbearers will be Johnny Palmer, Jimmy Palmer, Steven McDaniel, Jerry Palmer, Michael Anderson, and Jonathan Thomas. Mr. Pickett was born in Dale County on September 7, 1941, and lived the early years of his life in Clayhatchee, Alabama. For the last four years of his life he resided with his wife, daughter and son-in-law in Webb, Alabama. He was married to the love of his life, Betty Jane Sellers Pickett, for forty-five years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his family. He especially enjoyed family vacations. He was a big time fan of Elvis and his favorite vacation destination was Graceland and historic Beale Street, both located in Memphis, Tennessee. He spent two years in the United States Army and served his country during the Vietnam War Era. He was stationed at Ft. Polk, Louisiana; Ft. Dix, New Jersey; and in Germany. Following his active military duty he was a member of the Mississippi Air National Guard. He was a civil service employee and worked with DOL Maintenance at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. He retired after 29 years of service. Following his retirement, he was employed as an aircraft mechanic with Army Fleet Support at Ft. Rucker for four years, at which time he was diagnosed with cancer. Mr. Pickett was preceded in death by his father, John A. Pickett; his step father, Clyde W. Jones; his father-in-law, Morris C. Sellers; a special aunt, Nell Godwin Chance; and a sister-in-law, Pat Pickett. Surviving relatives include his wife, Betty Jane Pickett of Webb; a son, Clinton Paul Pickett and wife Samantha of Enterprise; a daughter, Paula Kay Palmer and husband Jerry of Webb; his mother, Willene Godwin Childree of Selma; his mother-in-law, Betty V. Sellers of Abbeville; his sisters, Elaine Davis and husband Marshal of Selma, Denise Andrews and husband Danny of Daleville; his brothers, Daniel Wayne Pickett of Dothan, John Wyatt Pickett and wife Vonn of Daleville, Stanley P. Jones and wife Cheryl of Auburn, Steven W. Jones and wife Melba of California; a brother-in-law, Daniel M. Sellers and wife Anna Maria of Ft. Worth, Texas; three grandchildren, Megan A. Coakley, Kaylee Pickett, and Bayleigh Pickett; a special nephew, David M. Sellers and family of Ft. Worth, Texas; several nieces and nephews. Mr. Pickett has fought a long and courageous battle with cancer since being diagnosed in November 2003; his fighting spirit will be missed by all. Special thanks to Dr. Frank Crockett, Internal Medicine; Dr. Thomas Brown, Oncology; Dr. Sher Ghori, Neurology; Mae Shorter and Keisha Reynolds of the Chemo Room at Southeast Alabama Medical Center. Service Information