Stephen Leroy Willett

Stephen Leroy Willett, 89, passed away peacefully at the Randolph Hospice House on Wednesday, January 8th, 2025, surrounded by family.

He was born in Chatham County to Evans Ward Willett and Estie Boyd Willett on June 18th, 1935. He graduated Bonlee High school in 1953. He began working at a young age with his first job at Siler City Mills. He then went to work for Collins & Aikman and retired after 44 years of service in the textile industry.

Leroy was the last of the older generation of bench warmers and conversationalists at Paul’s Bonlee Auto Repair. He loved watching the Atlanta Braves baseball, listening to bluegrass music, and talking to family and friends and recounting his favorite stories. He also loved eating lunch and thrift store shopping every day with his son, Tommy. At one time, Leroy was an active square dancer with a club in Moore County for 20 years and attended national conventions. After retiring from his job, he enjoyed traveling all over the U.S. with his special friend and companion, Beverly Blake, of Aberdeen. Leroy was a member of Edwards Hill Friends Meeting Church.

Leroy was preceded in death by his parents; his younger brother, Harold Willett; former wife, Peggy Willett; daughter-in-law, Rita Willett; and his friend and companion, Beverly Blake. He is survived by his son, Tommy Willett of Bonlee; daughter, Teresa Willett Phillips and her husband, William of Bonlee; grandson, Blake Phillips and his wife, Melinda of Kansas City, MO; and granddaughter, Rachel Barnes and her husband, Rick of Siler City.

The funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 14th, 2025, at 3 pm, at Edwards Hill Friends Church with Josh Conrad officiating. Family visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Leroy truly loved his friends and family and appreciated all the calls and visits during his time of declining health. The family would like to thank family, friends, The Liberty Hospice and Randolph Hospice House teams who were very supportive and caring during the past few months. Special thanks to Clara McNeill that helped with his care.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the Edwards Hill Friends Meeting Cemetery Fund, 92 Ed Leonard Rd., Siler City, NC 27344.

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the Willett family.

Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com