Winifred M. "Winnie" Willey

Winifred W. "Winnie" Mobray Willey, 85 of Cambridge, passed away at Memorial Hospital at Easton on Sunday, September 4, 2011. She was born in Cambridge on February 27, 1926 and was a daughter of the late Walter White Mobray and Dula Mary Anna Benton Mobray.

She attended schools in Cambridge and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1943. On July 25, 1943, Winnie realized her high school ambition and married her "soldier boy" Wallace R. Willey, Sr. While Wallace served his country in the South Pacific, Winnie did her part as a riveter in Baltimore.

In the 1960's, Winnie worked as a sales clerk at Tubman's Jewelers. For many years until retirement, she was an aide with special education classes in Dorchester County and considered these children her own.

Winnie was a lifelong member of Zion United Methodist Church and enjoyed attending services. She helped with soup day and contributed many different crafts to the Christmas Bazaar. She was an honorary lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Dorchester Post #91. She was a past secretary, member of the executive committee and currently poppy chairman, a position she held for many years. In honor of Memorial Day, she made poppy crosses to be displayed in local churches and services at Long Wharf. She received many awards for her efforts, the most recent from the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Maryland at this year's state convention. Winnie was a member of DGH Auxiliary and volunteered for several years in the Hospitality Shop.

She enjoyed many hobbies including gardening, reading, sewing, crafts and walking her constant companion "Bubba". Winnie's greatest joy was taking care of her husband and her family.

She is survived by five children Vicki Griffith and husband Tom of Fayetteville, NC, Susan Willey of Cambridge, Wallace R. "W.R." Willey, Jr. and wife Betty of Cambridge, Walter G. Willey and his partner Ed Miller of Naples, FL and Becky Bowman and husband John of Follansbee, WV. She is also survived by five grandsons Mike Griffith, John Griffith, Steve Griffith, Matthew Griffith and Patrick Griffith and three granddaughters Tracy Nichols, Amy Schuyler and Ashley Willey, ten great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Wallace Willey, Sr., her sister Lenora Newcomb and her brother William Mobray.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 9, 2011 at 11 a.m. at Zion United Methodist Church with the Rev. William R. Davis officiating. Interment will follow at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery. Family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge. Pallbearers will be CSM(R) Tom Griffith, Winnie's grandsons Mike Griffith, John Griffith, Steve Griffith, Matthew Griffith, Patrick Griffith and her great grandson Lake Nichols. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the American Legion Auxiliary Dorchester Unit #91.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Endowment Fund of Zion United Methodist Church, 612 Locust Street, Cambridge, MD 21613 or to the American Legion Auxiliary Dorchester Unit #91, P.O. Box 733, Cambridge, MD 21613.