The family of Lloyd Clayton Willman celebrates his life of 94 years that ended February 13, 2013. Lloyd was born in Lonoke, December 21, 1918, to William Edward and Amelia Elizabeth Willman. He was a 1936 Lonoke High School graduate. He then attended Arkansas A & M at Monticello, Arkansas, for 2 years. He worked his way through school earning 15 cents an hour and served one year in the National Guard Coast artillery antiaircraft unit while attending school. After graduating from the University of Arkansas in 1941 with a B.S. in Agriculture, Lloyd worked with the Farm Security Administration in El Dorado, Arkansas.
Lloyd entered the Army in March 1942 and proudly served his country during World War II. He participated in 5 campaigns in Europe as a medic in the US Army 90th division. As a soldier, he was a part of the D-Day landing on Utah Beach, Normandy. Honors received include the Normandy Invasion Arrowhead, 5 battle stars, Bronze Star and Combat Medical Badge.
After the war, Lloyd worked at FSA in Helena, DeValls Bluff and Stuttgart. He returned to the Lonoke family rice farm in March of 1947 to work with his father and made farming his lifelong work. Lloyd was a charter member of the Lonoke Lions Club and also belonged to the American Legion and Masonic Lodge. He was a longtime board member for Riceland Foods.
Lloyd was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Emmadell High Willman, his parents Ed and Amelia Willman, sisters Helen Willman and Ethel Willman Baker, and a granddaughter Natalie Thomas. He is survived by brother Elmer Willman, sister Gladys Holmes and husband Gene, son Ed Willman, daughter Libby Thomas and husband Herbert, grandchildren Edi Lassett, Blair Willman-Hauk and husband Hunter, Jabbo Thomas, Clayton Thomas, Nathan Thomas, and great granddaughters Grace and Star.
The family wishes to thank Lloyd’s special caregivers Pat Richardson, Francis Jones, Tonya Willis, Sable Wilkerson, and the V.A. Hospice unit at McClellan V.A. Hospital in Little Rock.
There will be a visitation at Boyd Funeral Home, 207 East Second Street, in Lonoke on Sunday, February 17, from 2-4:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Lonoke Presbyterian Church, 304 South Center Street, on Monday, February 18, at 2:00 p.m. Graveside service will follow in Lonoke Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Lonoke, Lonoke Lions Club, Lonoke American Legion, Lonoke Masonic Lodge, or charity of choice.
Arrangements by Boyd Funeral Home, Lonoke. www.boydfuneralhome.net.