WILLIE FRANKLIN COON

Mr. Willie Franklin Coon, age 74 passed away at the home of his daughter in Freeport, Wednesday, September 7, 2022.  He was born February 17, 1948 in DeFuniak Springs, the son of John Franklin Coon and Annie Bernice Kelley Coon.  After leaving high school in 1967 Willie joined the United States Army and was stationed in Fort Benning, later in Ft. Leonard Wood, Ft. Bragg and then was sent to Germany.  Returning from Germany he went to Ft. Monmouth and was deployed to Viet Nam.  After his tour of duty in Viet Nam he returned to Ft. Benning where he was granted a hardship discharge to come home and help his dad put the crop in.  Willie worked in communications support and helped put the lines in from DeFuniak Springs to Tallahassee along I10.  He was employed some 30 years with communications but later was a Captain for charter boats.  He used his skills as a heavy equipment operator until ill health forced his retirement. He loved the water and fishing and farming and anything outdoors.   Like all great American males, he loved watching Gunsmoke on television.  He is predeceased by his siblings, Mary, Kathrine, J.B., Roger and Thomas.

Among survivors are his children, Michelle, John, Jennifer and Christina.  His grandchildren,  Jordan, Jazmin, Gage, Gabriella, Elijah, Klaus, Kaylie, Rylie and Jayden.  The mothers of his children, Carol Courtney and Theresa Jordan and husband Arturo Hernandez and his sister-in-law Betty Coon also survive.

Those asked to serve as pallbearers are John Coon, Elijah Coon, Nathan Coon, Jordan Nicholas and Marcus Miller.  A time of visitation will be Monday, September 12, 2022 from 11:00 A.M. until Noon with the funeral beginning at Noon in Cluster Springs Baptist Church with Reverend David Amason and Dr. Aubrey Newberry officiating.   Military honors will follow in the Coon Family Plot in Cluster Springs Cemetery.  Friends and family may go on line to view obituaries, offer condolences and sign the guest register at jerryevansfuneralhome.com