WILMINGTON — Willie Jay Rooks Jr., 86, passed away Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, at Lower Cape Fear Hospice.
He was born Nov. 29, 1932, in Atkinson, the son of the late Lorena Tatum Croom and Graham Croom. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Carol R. McClellan.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Judith R. Rooks; children, Kevin (Bruce) Rooks and Angela (Mousey) Powell; grandchildren, Ryan (Haley) McClellan, Ethan (Ashley) McClellan, Nichole (Glenn) Anderson, Grayson Powell, Taylor Powell and Brayden Baker-Rooks; great-grandson, Easton Anderson; and son-in-law, Harold McClellan.
He served his country as a sergeant in the U.S. Army. Then, after working 44 years, he retired from Federal Paper Board, Riegelwood. He was also a member of Calvary Baptist Church.
The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, at Andrews Mortuary on Market Street. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 27, at Calvary Baptist Church with Dr. Donnie Lovette officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice.
Share online condolences with the family at Andrews Mortuary & Crematory.
