Puckett Willis
Puckett Willis (August 17, 1924 â 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.
| Puckett Willisâ | |
Louisiana State Senator for
Grant, LaSalle, and Winn parishes | |
| In office 1948â â 1952â | |
| Preceded by | W. T. Hodgesâ |
|---|---|
| Succeeded by | Gove D. Davisâ |
| Born | August 17, 1924â Sikes, Winn Parish, Louisianaâ |
| Died | March 27, 2019 (aged 94)â New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Resting place | Sikes Cemetery |
| Nationality | Americanâ |
| Political party | Democrat â |
| Spouse(s) | Rose Parker Willis (married 1952-2018, her death)â |
| Children | Susan Willis Jennifer Willis Buckley |
| Alma mater | Sikes (Louisiana) High School |
| Occupation | Businessmanâ |
| Religion | Southern Baptist |
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
- â 1.0 1.1 1.2 Puckett Willis. Findagrave.com. Retrieved on May 22, 2020.
- â Membership in the Louisiana State Senate, 1880-2024. Louisiana State Senate. Retrieved on May 22, 2020.
- â Willis Puckett. Mylife.com. Retrieved on May 22, 2020.
- â Legacy.com. Retrieved on May 22, 2020.
- â Meet Louisiana's latest political legends to be enshrined in Hall of Fame. Monroe News Star (January 14, 2020). Retrieved on May 22, 2020.
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