Eastman 'Leander' Willie

Eastman “Leander” Willie went to his heavenly home on February 16, 2018 surrounded by his loving family at the age of 78. He was born on April 10, 1939 to E.A. Willie and Lucy Blackwell Willie. Leander married his sweetheart Eva Marie Forrest who became his wife of 37 years. During that time he served honorably in the U.S. Army. Leander’s hobbies included music, hunting, fishing, oil painting, and he always enjoyed making people laugh. Many years ago, he gave his life to the Lord and was a member of Trinity Baptist Church. He made his living as a heavy equipment operator until he opened D&L Taxidermy from which he later retired. Throughout his life his passion was music where he spent 27 years playing lead guitar for, ‘The Wayfarers Quartet’, including writing one of the songs that they sang called ‘Jesus Gave His All For Me’. His favorite instrument was the pedal steel guitar. His early music career included stints playing guitar in Branson, Missouri for the Blue Grass band, ‘The Ozark Mountain Boys’. According to fellow band members, he was asked to perform his Elvis routine, which was the highlight of each show. Leander is survived by his 2 daughters, Leanna Traylor and husband Edgar “Spot”, Lorrie Hill and husband Justin; his son Danny Willie and wife Stephanie; 7 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren, as well as, numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Marie Willie; mother, Lucy Blackwell Achord; father, E.A. Willie; 2 brothers, Robert and Leo Willie; as well as, 5 sisters, Josie Addison, Margie Miller, Nancy Domiano, Ella Addison, and Wanda Achord. Visitation will be held Monday, February 19, 2018 at Trinity Baptist Church 42062 Pumpkin Center Rd, Hammond, LA, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. with a funeral service to follow at 3:00 p.m. Internment will follow at the church cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, please donate to Richard Murphy Hospice House or Trinity Baptist Church Building Fund. Special thanks to Heart of Hospice caregivers; Richard Murphy Hospice House administrator Donna Landry Olivia, Darick Selders, and all remaining staff at RMHH for the excellent care and compassion shown to our dad during his illness.

Tributes

Eastman 'Leander' Willie

April 10, 1939 - February 16, 2018