Charles Willoughby

Charles Willoughby, long-time resident of Rayville, died Sunday, February 13, 2022 at the age of 97.  

He had been living at the Mississippi State Veterans Home in Jackson, Mississippi to be near his daughter, Angela Willoughby of Clinton, Mississippi.  

Charles was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Edna Gammill Willoughby, in 2003. 

He is survived by his daughter, Angela Willoughby; grandson, Charlie Patton; and great-granddaughters, Clementine and Juniper Patton, in addition to numerous nieces and nephews.  

Charles was born in Winnsboro on October 4, 1924. The family later moved to Rayville where he spent his early years and attended elementary and high school. 

In 1943, he enlisted in the Marine Corps.  He served in the Pacific during World War II including the battles of Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima and was discharged in 1945, having earned a Bronze Star Medal  for “heroic or meritorious achievement of service.”

He spent the following years working in the oil drilling industry primarily in southwestern Louisiana until he returned home to Rayville in 1965. 

After a few years working as a road crew foreman with Smalling Brothers, Inc., he purchased Rayville Auto Supply in 1970 and operated the store along with wife Edna until he retired in 1988.    

Charles was a deacon of the First Baptist Church in Rayville where he and Edna were extremely active in the life of the church.  

After retirement, they spent many years working with various volunteer organizations of the Louisiana Baptists including the Louisiana Disaster Team and the Louisiana chapter of Campers on Mission.  They also traveled to every state in the continental United States, including Alaska in their Allegro motorhome. After Edna died in 2003, Charles continued his work with Campers on Mission until he moved to Mississippi in 2016.  

Whether he was at work, or at church, volunteering, traveling or attending musical events of his musician daughter and grandson, he showed an unmistakable energetic joy that inspired others. 

Charles was a long-time supporter of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and the family requests that you consider sending memorials to that organization.  

A memorial service will be held at a later date.