Julie Ann (Willis) Caldwell, age 49, of Oak Hill, passed away Friday, March 25, 2016 at the Cleveland Clinic, following a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis.
She was born June 10, 1966 in Columbus, Ohio to the late Robert Owen Willis and Shirley Ann Hall Willis. Julie was a 1984 graduate of Southern High School in Racine and then later completed college courses at Rio Grande College. She worked at Guns Plus Sporting Goods, Wendy’s Restaurant, and Lackey’s PDQ before she was diagnosed with her illness.
Julie had a love for sports. She was always found at the ball fields cheering on her kids when they were growing up and she continued cheering on her grand-kids as well. Julie had a passion for riding motorcycles with her husband and she loved to shoot guns and go fishing. She was a member of VFW Post 333 of Albany, Ohio.
Julie is survived by her loving husband, Earl Caldwell; daughter, Tara Lockard (Shawn) Stewart of Columbus; sons, Michael (Georgia) Lockard of Columbus and Matthew (Kelley) Lockard of Jackson; step-sons, Isaiah (Jess) Caldwell of Wellston, and Jasiah Caldwell of Virginia; and brother, Bo (Rachel) Willis of Meigs. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Whitney and Allison Stewart, Natalie Lockard, John Lockard, Hunter Lockard, Lillian Lockard, Chucky Caldwell, Austin Caldwell, Hunter Caldwell, and Keaton Caldwell; her mother-in-law, Eleanor Caldwell of Wellston, along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Shirley Willis; grandparents, Wayne and Goldie Hall, and Dale and Mildred (Willis) Hubbard; and nephew, Tyler Willis.
Calling hours will be Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the McWilliams Funeral Home in Wellston. Funeral service will be Friday at 1 p.m. at the McWilliams Funeral Home with Pastor Richard Moore officiating. Burial will be in the Real Friends Cemetery at Pattonsville, followed by a celebration of life luncheon at the First Presbyterian Church fellowship hall in Wellston.
The family would appreciate contributions in memory of Julie be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation to help find a cure. Send to: Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 304, Chicago, IL 60611-3201. The website address is: www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/ways-to-give/donate-now.
Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.mcwilliams-funeralhome.com