John "Doc" Willey

John “Doc” Willey, 93, of Nederland passed away Thursday, May 12, 2022 at, Harbor Hospice of Beaumont. Doc was born in Port Neches, Texas on June 11, 1928, to the late James M. Willey, Sr. and Sara Elizabeth (Verbeck) Willey.
Doc joined the Army Air Corp. in January of 1947 and spent 26 years serving his country in the United States Air Force. Doc met and married his lifelong sweetheart, Laura Anne Cox in 1948. Doc and Laura had three daughters. Upon retirement, Doc, Laura, and Dorothy returned to his hometown of Nederland, Texas. Doc served in the USAF in five states, Germany and Korea. When Doc retired from USAF, he went to work in the private sector in SETX for 18 years.
Doc and Laura bought their dream house in Nederland and both lived there until their deaths. Doc was a gardener, a trait he learned from his parents. For over 30 years he had a lovely garden full of some of the best produce you’d ever eat. He also planted anything Laura asked him to in her flower beds. At one time they had over 40 rose bushes planted around the yard. Doc also enjoyed fishing and hunting with his friends. Doc and Laura traveled a great deal during their 69-year marriage, enjoyed church, having family and friends over for coffee and dinner. They also enjoyed attending Nederland High School football games and spending evenings on the porch.
Doc was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Laura A. Willey; daughter, Sheryl A. Willey; brothers, James Willey, Jr., and Robert Willey; sisters, Agnes Britt, Lucille Benoit and Pat Papania.
Those left behind to cherish Doc’s memory are his daughters, Linda F. Valla and her husband, Jay of Florida and Dorothy D. Rodgers and her husband, Mike of Nederland; granddaughter, Sherry A. White and her husband, Chris; grandson, Andy Rodgers and his wife, Sarah; great grandchildren, Kane Rodgers, Taylor White and Morgan White; sisters, Rosie Tidwell and Toni Forey.
In lieu of flowers a Memorial Contribution in Honor of John “Doc” Willey may be made to Harbor Hospice of Beaumont, 2450 N. Major Dr., Beaumont, TX 77713; San Gabriel Christian Church or to Southeast Texas Veterans Service Group, P.O. Box 12352, Beaumont, TX 77726.
A gathering of family and friends will be held Wednesday, May 18, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., with a Celebration of Doc’s Life to begin at 11:00 a.m., at Melancon’s Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches. Serving as pallbearers for Doc are Jay Valla, Mike Rodgers, Andy Rodgers, Chris White, Greg Martin and Daken Hill, honorary pallbearer, Kane Rodgers.