Difference between revisions of "Puckett Willis"
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'''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 Long|Earl Kemp Long]], who like Willis was a native of Winn Parish. A [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], Willis was elected at the age of twenty-three in 1947<ref name=findagrave/>. He represented Grant, LaSalle, and Winn parishes in the north central potion of the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://senate.la.gov/Documents/Membership/1880membership.pdf|title=Membership in the Louisiana State Senate, 1880-2024|publisher=Louisiana State Senate|accessdate=May 22, 2020}}</ref> When Willis left the Senate, 24-year-old [[Billy Boles]] of Richland Parish and later [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]] became the second youngest Louisiana state senator, with service for a single term from 1952 to 1956. | '''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 Long|Earl Kemp Long]], who like Willis was a native of Winn Parish. A [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], Willis was elected at the age of twenty-three in 1947<ref name=findagrave/>. He represented Grant, LaSalle, and Winn parishes in the north central potion of the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://senate.la.gov/Documents/Membership/1880membership.pdf|title=Membership in the Louisiana State Senate, 1880-2024|publisher=Louisiana State Senate|accessdate=May 22, 2020}}</ref> When Willis left the Senate, 24-year-old [[Billy Boles]] of Richland Parish and later [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]] became the second youngest Louisiana state senator, with service for a single term from 1952 to 1956. | ||
| − | 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, Louisiana|Monroe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mylife.com/willis-puckett/willis-puckett?valid=true&|title=Willis Puckett|publisher=Mylife.com|accessdate=May 22, 2020}}</ref> 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).<ref>{{ cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/puckett-willis-obituary?pid=192020180|title=Legacy.com|accessdate=May 22, 2020}}</ref>After he left the state Senate, Willis served a number of years as the [[mayor | + | Willis was the son of Ernest C. Willis (1891-1940) and the former Lena Puckett (1895-1976), who operated a country store in the [[village]] of Sikes in Winn Parish. After his father's death, Willis operated the store and later opened a sawmill in Caldwell Parish south of [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mylife.com/willis-puckett/willis-puckett?valid=true&|title=Willis Puckett|publisher=Mylife.com|accessdate=May 22, 2020}}</ref> 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).<ref>{{ cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/puckett-willis-obituary?pid=192020180|title=Legacy.com|accessdate=May 22, 2020}}</ref>After he left the state Senate, Willis served a number of years as the [[mayor]] of Sikes. He was also a member and chairman of the Winn Parish Democratic Committee.<ref name=findagrave>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/197898908/puckett-willis|title=Puckett Willis|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=May 22, 2020}}</ref> |
Rose and Puckett Willis were long-time member of the First [[Southern Baptist|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.<ref name=findagrave/> | Rose and Puckett Willis were long-time member of the First [[Southern Baptist|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.<ref name=findagrave/> | ||
Revision as of 15:41, May 23, 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] When Willis left the Senate, 24-year-old Billy Boles of Richland Parish and later Monroe became the second youngest Louisiana state senator, with service for a single term from 1952 to 1956.
Willis was the son of Ernest C. Willis (1891-1940) and the former Lena Puckett (1895-1976), who operated a country store in the village of Sikes in Winn Parish. 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 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.