Robert E. Willey, 88, of Wingo, Ky., died 1:30 p.m. May 18, 2009, at Jackson Purchase Medical Center in Mayfield, Ky.

Graveside services were set for 11 a.m. today at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Wingo. The Rev. Howard Copeland was to officiate. Hornbeak Funeral Home in Fulton is in charge of arrangements.

The family requests that memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942.

He was born Jan. 9, 1921, in Hickman County, Ky., son of the late Porter and Thelma (Bradley) Willey. He was the widower of Helen C. (Morris) Willey and was a retired employee of the City of Clinton, Ky. He had also been a farmer and had lived in this area all his life.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the military police, and was a member of Water Valley (Ky.) Baptist Church and Roberts Masonic Lodge No. 172 in Fulton.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Emily and Albert Zimmerman of Murray, Ky., three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by his grandson.

Online tributes may be left at www.hornbeakfuneralchapel.com.