Funeral service for SMSgt Retired, Willis Lee Mason, Sr., US Air Force, age 86 of Dellrose, TN will be held at 11am on Friday, January 13, 2023, at Higgins Funeral Home with Rev. Bruce Underhill and Elder Aaron Hasty officiating. Burial will follow in Shiloh Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 4pm until 7pm on Thursday, January 12, 2023, at Higgins.
Mr. Mason was born January 13, 1936, to the late Scott Walter Mason and Flora Mae Garner Mason. He served four years in the US Navy and then went on to retire from the Air Force after 22 years of additional service. After a few different jobs, Willis went into Civil Service work in California, and returned to Tennessee in the mid 1980’s. He continued his civil service career at Advco in Nashville and then moved to Grumman in St. Augustine, FL in 1987. Upon retirement from civilian life in 1995, he settled in Dellrose.
Willis was a longtime member of McBurg First Baptist Church and was recently ordained as Deacon on January 1, 2023. He was also a member of the Fayetteville Lions Club, and he served as a fireman with the Dellrose Volunteer Fire Department. He even found time to drive Veterans to their doctor appointments. Willis held a special passion for woodworking, and many of his beautiful bowls are proudly displayed in homes and businesses around Lincoln County. He also enjoyed fishing and working on his farm, but most of all he loved serving his community and his family. Mr. Mason passed away January 7, 2023, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN.
Mr. Mason is survived by his wife of 66 years, Geraldine Dee Whitham Mason; son, Willis Lee (Kim) Mason, Jr.; daughters, Sueanna Dee (David) Hasty, Judy Ann (Bruce) Underhill; grandchildren, James Lee Mason, Justin Michael Trowell, Joseph Lawrence (Jennifer) Hasty, Aaron William (Amanda) Hasty, Trevor Lane (Nicci) Hasty, and Willis Victor (Stephanie) Underhill; great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Hannah Trowell, Lillian Marie Mason, Carleigh, Paisleigh, Bayleigh, Trinity, and Oakleigh Hasty, Reaghan, Eli, and Reed Hasty, Teagan and Blakelyn Hasty, Ethan, Zachary, and Micah Underhill; siblings, Glora (Bob) Bolton, Elizabeth Jones, Linda Blue, Larry Dale (Kim) Mason; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Mason was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Garner; and brothers, Jerry Mason and Donald Mason.
Memorial donations may be made to McBurg First Baptist Church, 353 McBurg Dellrose Road, Dellrose, TN 38453; Camp Blount Historic Site Association, P.O. Box 1422, Fayetteville, TN 37334; The Gideons International Processing Center, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251; Fayetteville Lions Club, P.O. Box 217, Fayetteville, TN 37334.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of SMSgt Retired, Willis Lee Mason, Sr., US Air Force.
7 Comments To "SMSgt Retired, Willis Lee Mason, Sr., US Air Force"
#1 Comment By Anita Johnson On January 9, 2023 @ 6:01 pm
My sympathy to Mrs. Mason and family. I met Mr. Mason while working part-time at the Library. He and aMes. Mason were a delight to know. I was privileged to receive one of his beautiful bowls which I proudly display. May God bring you all peace and comfort.
#2 Comment By Bernadette Selph On January 9, 2023 @ 6:07 pm
I will miss you at the meetings. 🙏 Prayers for you Willis and your family .
Bernadette Selph
Lions Club
#3 Comment By Regina Ussery On January 9, 2023 @ 8:29 pm
He was a good friend of mine and used to love to give him a hard time and I going to miss him so much
#4 Comment By Kathryn Cook On January 9, 2023 @ 10:10 pm
I will forever treasure the memories of our conversations Uncle Willis and I had on the phone together. I developed a deep love and appreciation for him that I never had before. I wanted so much to come see him and spend some time learning more about him and his life but now it will have to wait until we meet again in heaven. I know he and my Dad are kicking it up on some creek bank somewhere in heaven fishing to their hearts content. I will always love you and hold a special place in my heart for you. Til we meet again.
#5 Comment By Jimmy Martin On January 12, 2023 @ 10:12 am
Mr. Mason was a wonderful man. I truly am grateful for the many years that I knew this wonderful man. We had so many good years fishing together. I loved his company and his talks. He was a great man in very way. He loved my daughters very much and was always asking about them. He was so knowledgeable on so many levels. I loved listening to his stories about when he was in the military and the many places that he has been. I will deeply miss Mr. Mason and will always remember him.
#6 Comment By Bret Birdsong On January 12, 2023 @ 3:31 pm
He was an inspiration to everyone.
#7 Comment By Brenda and Joe Burns On January 13, 2023 @ 10:17 am
So Sorry to hear of Mr Masons passing. He was such an inspiration to life.He was loved by so many.Prayers to all his church and community families.