Willis Sumner

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, April 29, 2020, Willis Lee Sumner, 88, passed away peacefully with his children by his side. lee was born to Willis and Daisy Sumner in March of 1932 in Drakesboro, Kentucky. After joining the Navy at the age of 18, he met Winnie, his future wife, while stationed in Coronado in 1953. Three months later May 17th, 1953 they married in Yuma, Arizona, celebrating 60 years of marriage in 2013. A lifelong follower of the lord, lee was always the first to offer help, whether in the community or with family while displaying that Sumner smile of his. He enjoyed square dancing, round dancing, line dancing, and roller skate dancing with his love Winnie. Lee loved music and spent a lot of his life singing with his 6 siblings, parents, church and personal friends. As a teenager he sang on the radio and always loved to sing of his faith and how important it was to have throughout your life. Even up until his death he had planned one last medley of songs and words he felt led to share. He prayed daily for his family, church and friends. A lover of all sports, he excelled in bowling, baseball, fast pitch softball, and basketball. His one true talent was being able to catch a 6 lb. bass when the rest of the boat caught nothing but sun. He loved fishing, but enjoyed it so much more with family. As very proud and loyal Washington Redskin and UVA fan, he was able to see UVA win a title in 2019.

Lee is survived by his three children: Debbie (Pat) Emery of laneview; and twins, Barry Sumner of Chesapeake and Gary (Marie) Sumner of Virginia Beach. He was preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Wilmadel (Winnie) Sumner and their beloved infant son, lee Allen Sumner. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Beth Morris, Cera Collett (Houston), and Christopher Sumner, Lynn Petty, Nancy Martin

(Jared) and Summer Mashinot and great grandchildren: Avery & Lincoln Collett, Logan Petty, Joseph Martin, and Teagan Owens. His surviving sibling is Wilma Jean Pepper of Arizona and a host of much loved nieces and nephews.

Lee had a great love for his family, and his love for our lord was greater. He always strove to impact people positively and to represent a person Jesus would be proud of. He never met a stranger and treated everyone he met like a friend.

We love you Dad, Uncle Lee, Papaw.

For a video of the private service and graveside copy and paste the following link: https://youtu.be/IaaF-N56RuI or push the Photo & Video tab.