Willie Weatherspoon Jr.

Willie Weathspoon, Jr. was born October 26, 1947 in Tildenville, Florida to Willie and Charlotte Weatherspoon. Willie, Jr. attended both Charles R. Drew High and Albion High School and received his High School Diploma from the State of Florida. Willie Weatherspoon, Jr. was drafted into the US Army and was wounded in the Vietnam War. SP4 Willie Weatherspoon, Jr. was awarded several Military Medals. He was a Sharp Shooter (Rifle M-14ANDM-16). He was awarded a Silver Star for gallantry in action while serving in Vietnam as a Specialist Machine Gunner with the Ninth Infantry. He was awarded a Bronze Star, Three Purple Hearts, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Oversea Bar and the National Defense Medal. Willie, Jr. worked various jobs: Farm Worker, Photographer, Mechanical and he became an Independent Long Distance Truck Driver. Willie Jr. was preceded in death by his son, Henry Trevordale Weatherspoon, Father, Willie Watherspoon, Sr., sisters, Mary Lee Weatherspoon Thompson and Frankie Lee Weatherspoon. He leaves to cherish precious memories to: mother, Charlotte Weatherspoon of Winter Garden, Florida; two children, Kia and Kevin Weatherspoon, both of Ocala, Florida; three sisters, Williemae Young (Robert) of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Evelyn Stalnaker of Winter Garden, Florida, Lois Williams (Art) of Orlando, Florida; two grandchildren, Kayden Harilus and Kaylee Weatherspoon, both of Ocala, Florida; uncle, John McCray (Barbara) of Savannah, Georgia; aunts, Bertha Hickman (Ike) of Titusville, Florida, Beatrice Flagg (Henry) of Alachua, Florida and Verdell McKinney (Art) of Atlanta, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and sorrowing friends. Albion Youth Awarded Silver Star An Albion youth has been awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action during an engagement with hostile forces last October 25, 1968 in Vietnam. The award was presented to Pfc. Willie Weatherspoon, son of Mr. and Mrs. Willie Spoon, Sr. of the Ridge Road by Col. Gordon Summer, Jr. Chief of staff of the youth’s unit in Vietnam. Pfc. Weatherspoon attended Albion High School and was employed by the MurrayLeigh Farms on the Ridge Road before entering the armed forces last February. He has been wounded twice and has two purple heart medals. His parents have been employed by the Murray-Leigh Farms for the past 15 years. The citation to the Albion soldier reads as follows: “For gallantry in action, Pfc. Weatherspoon distinguished himself by heroic action October 25, 1968, while serving as a machine gunner with Co. B, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry in the Republic of Vietnam. “While engaged in a reconnaissance in force mission, Col B came under heavy enemy fire. Pfc. Weatherspoon with complete disregards for his own safety, moved through the bullet-swept area to aid his platoon sergeant, who was wounded. “Pfc. Weatherspoon began to place heavy suppressive fire, which gained his element the fire superiority it needed to repel the enemy. His valorous actions contributed immeasurably to the defeat of the enemy and the success of the mission. “Pfc. Weatherspoon’s personal bravery, aggressiveness and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.”

Tributes

Willie Weatherspoon Jr.

October 26, 1947 - December 18, 2014