Jay Willingham

Jay McClure "Mickey" Willingham, 87, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30,2016, at Harts Mortuary at the Cupola, 6324 Peake Road, with Rev. Ann Meroney officiating. Family will greet friends one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimers Association, 886 Mulberry Street, Macon, Georgia 31201. Mr. Willingham was born in Chattanooga, on Aug. 3, 1929, to W. Jay Willingham and Mary McClure Willingham. He attended Baylor School in Chattanooga, Darlington School in Rome, Ga., Woodberry Forest School in Orange, Va., and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., where he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. Mr. Willingham was employed by A.C. Willingham Lumber Company in Chattanooga, and later served as Vice-President of Sales for Georgia Coating Clay Company in Macon. He ultimately retired from Engelhard Corporation in Iselin, N.J., in 1994. While living in Macon, he was Board Chairman of the Macon/Bibb County Cancer Society, also a Director of the Macon Civic Club, and the Macon Lawn Tennis Association. In later years, he was a member and team captain of the Macon Super Senior Tennis League. One of his proudest and most enjoyable achievements was coaching Little League Baseball in the Vine-Ingle League. Mr. Willingham was King of the 1952 Chattanooga Cotton Ball and a Charter Member of the Lookout Mountain Baptist Church. He was a past member of the Idle Hour Country Club in Macon and the Fairyland Club on Lookout Mountain. Mr. Willingham was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Blanche Mallary Willingham and son-in-law, Tommy Veale. He is survived by his children, Mallary Veale, of Watkinsville, Ga., Jay Willingham Jr. (Evy), of Macon, and Mary Emily Vezina (Mike), of Brentwood, Tenn.; seven grandchildren, Matthew Vezina, Michael Vezina, Emily Vezina, Mac Veale, Kathryn Veale, Caroline Willingham Letson (Corey), and Calder Willingham (Jennifer); two great-grandchildren, Zoey Willingham, Nora Willingham, and Baby Letson, who is on the way ; sister, Mary Martin (Jim), of Lookout Mountain; and brother, Guy Willingham (Neenah), of Birchwood, Tenn. Register online at www.hartsmort.com. Harts Mortuary at the Cupola has charge of arrangements.