James R. (Ron) Willett

James Ronald (Ron) Willett, 65, of Jonesboro, passed away on Friday, October 3, 2008, in the home of son Jason and daughter-in-law: LaWanda Willett in Jonesboro.

Ron was born June 2, 1943, at Camp Forrest, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his father James Foster Willett and his mother Estelle Marie (Sunny) Willett. Ron was a member of Southwest Church of Christ in Jonesboro.

Survivors include his loving wife Pamela Willett of the home;
Three children, Felicia Suzanne Willett of Memphis, Jason Romuald Willett of Jonesboro, and Ross Thompson Willett of North Hollywood, California;
Stepchildren Stephanie Spann Willbanks of Little Rock, Dr. Aaron Spann of Little Rock, and Dr. David Spann of Memphis, Matt Owens of Fayetteville, Whitney Owens and Ashlin Owens of Jonesboro; one grandchild, James Foster Willett and many loving cousins and friends.

Ron graduated in 1965 from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. He began his business career with Citizen’s Bank of Jonesboro. In 1967 he accepted a position with Decca Recording Company in Sales and Marketing and was based in Memphis. In 1969 he assumed the position of Southeast Regional Sales Manager of the Audio Division of Decca based in Atlanta. In 1971 he returned to the family business partnering with his mother in the Indian Mall of Jonesboro. This business grew to become 3 stores specializing in shoes, clothing and western wear. Consolidations occurred in 1987 when all operations merged into specialized Junior Department Store located in the Caraway Plaza in Jonesboro.

Ron was a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary International, Board Member of Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce and the United Way; Arkansas State Athletic Toga Level contributor and established the Sunny Willett Marketing Scholarship at ASU.

Funeral services will be held Monday morning, October 6, 2008, at 11:00 at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Jimmy Adcox officiating. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery in Jonesboro.

Visitation will be held Sunday evening, 5-7, at Emerson Funeral Home.

Active pallbearers include: Richard Choat, Bill Buckingham, Jim Goad, Bob Puryear, Howard Shannon, and Terrell Downing. Honorary pallbearers include members of the Jonesboro AA Chapter.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to the charity of the donor’s choice, or to one close to Ron’s heart: Southwest Church of Christ Library (Alcohol and Drug Recovery) 1601 James Street, Jonesboro, AR 72401, or Women’s Crisis Center, P.O. Box 721, Jonesboro, AR 72403.