Difference between revisions of "Puckett Willis"
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{{Infobox officeholder | {{Infobox officeholder | ||
| − | |name=Puckett Willis | + | | name=Puckett Willis |
| − | |nationality=[[United States|American]] | + | | nationality=[[United States|American]] |
| office=[[Louisiana]] State Senator for<br>Grant, LaSalle, and Winn parishes | | office=[[Louisiana]] State Senator for<br>Grant, LaSalle, and Winn parishes | ||
| − | | party [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] | + | | party=[[Democratic Party|Democrat]] |
| term_start=1948 | | term_start=1948 | ||
| term_end=1952 | | term_end=1952 | ||
Revision as of 16:41, May 22, 2020
| Puckett Willis | |
Louisiana State Senator for
Grant, LaSalle, and Winn parishes | |
| In office 1948 – 1952 | |
| Preceded by | W. T. Hodges |
|---|---|
| Succeeded by | Gove D. Davis |
| Born | August 17, 1924 Sikes, Winn Parish, Louisiana |
| Died | March 27, 2019 (aged 94) New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Resting place | Sikes Cemetery |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democrat |
| Spouse(s) | Rose Parker Willis (married 1952-2018, her death) |
| Children | Susan Willis Jennifer Willis Buckley |
| Alma mater | Sikes (Louisiana) High School |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Religion | Southern Baptist |
Puckett Willis (August 17, 1924 – March 27, 2019) was the youngest person ever elected to the Louisiana State Senate, a position he filled for only one term from 1948 to 1952 during the administration of Governor Earl Kemp Long, who like Willis was a native of Winn Parish. A Democrat, Willis was elected at the age of twenty-three in 1947[1]. He represented Grant, LaSalle, and Winn parishes in the north central potion of the state.[2]
A native of rural Sikes in Winn Parish, Willis was the son of Ernest C. Willis (1891-1940) and the former Lena Puckett (1895-1976), who operated a country store in Sikes. After his father's death, Willis operated the store and later opened a sawmill in Caldwell Parish south of Monroe.[3] Willis graduated in 1941 from Sikes High School, where he met his future wife, the former Rose Parker (1924-2018). The couple had two daughters, Susan Willis and Jennifer Willis Buckley. From 1950 to 1986, Willis operated the Merchants Insurance Agency in downtown Winnfield. He was also a founder and director of Winn State Bank (since Sabine State Bank).[4]After he left the state Senate, Willis served a number of years as the mayor of the village of Sikes. He was also a member and chairman of the Winn Parish Democratic Committee.[1]
Rose and Puckett Willis were long-time member of the First Baptist Church in downtown Winnfield. He died in New Orleans at the age of ninety-four, a year after Rose's passing. His service was held at the church followed by burial in Sikes Cemetery.[1]
A year after his death, Willis was posthumously honored with the "Friend of Earl K. Long Award" by the Winnfield-based Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame.[5] ==References==
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Puckett Willis. Findagrave.com. Retrieved on May 22, 2020.
- ↑ Membership in the Louisiana State Senate, 1880-2024. Louisiana State Senate. Retrieved on May 22, 2020.
- ↑ Willis Puckett. Mylife.com. Retrieved on May 22, 2020.
- ↑ Legacy.com. Retrieved on May 22, 2020.
- ↑ Meet Louisiana's latest political legends to be enshrined in Hall of Fame. The Monroe News-Star (January 14, 2020). Retrieved on May 22, 2020.