Willie Allen died Saturday, July 16, 2011, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson surrounded by his family. He was 78.

Mr. Allen was retired from Marathon LeTourneau as a welder. He attended the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Annie B. Allen; his parents, Randle Sr. and Lezora Allen; brothers, Lorene Allen, James Frank Allen, Robert Allen and Arthur James Allen; and sisters, Gollie Whitley and Lezora “Sister” Allen Bland.

Mr. Allen is survived by five daughters, Annie Pearl Gross (Willie), Sara Allen Heard, Janice L. Allen, Willie Ann Mayfield (Lovies) and Eunice M. Allen, all of Vicksburg; two brothers, Melvin Allen of Modesto, Calif., and Randle Allen Jr. of Mantoon, Ill.; four sisters, Thelma Stamps of Jackson, Ada Wallace and Elizabeth Mack, both of Edwards, and Bettie Williams of Modesto; eight grandchildren, Damien “Shawn” Heard, Jared Gross, Roderick Allen (Denisha), Terrance Gross (Kimberly), Terrica Gross, Jaclyn Mayfield, Michael Mayfield and Jeremy Clay; and eight great-grandchildren.

Mr. Allen was well-known within the community, never meeting a stranger, and embraced everyone he met; he’ll be forever remembered by his wittiness, jokes and outgoing personality.

Services will be at noon Saturday at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness with Brother Larry Scott officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be at Lakeview Memorial Funeral Home on Friday, July 22, 2011, from 1 until 7 p.m. with family present from 6 until 7.