WILLIE H. GAVIN JR., 69

HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in Valley Baptist Church, Farrell, for Willie H. Gavin Jr., 69, of 672 S. Buhl Farm Drive, who died early Monday in Sharon Regional Health System hospital after a one-day illness.
Mr. Gavin was born Sept. 12, 1931, in Moss, Miss., a son of the Rev. Willie H. Sr. and Spicie Newell Gavin, and lived in the Shenango Valley since 1951.
He attended Jasper, Miss., schools, and retired in 1992 as a general foreman for Wheatland Tube Co., where he worked 41 years and where he served as a consultant after his retirement.
A member of the church, he was a longtime chairman of its trustees, was a member of its Sunday School, and was honored in 1996 by the church for his faithful and dedicated service and in 2000 by the trustees. He also received the Mercer County Frontiers Community Service Award. He was an Air Force veteran.
Among others, he leaves his wife, the former Mary Emma Sims, whom he married March 15, 1952; two daughters, Angela M. Keller of Hermitage and Janet G. Jackson of Farrell; two sons, Johnnie R. of Hermitage and Paul E. of Farrell; three sisters, Camie Lee Bell of Chicago, Ill., Joelene Page of Bay Springs, Miss., and Pauline Betts of Springfield, Ill.; two brothers, Cannon G. of Joliet, Ill., and James E. of Homestead, Pa.; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
A son, Michael E.; a sister, Jimmie L. Sims; and two brothers, Eddie and Chalmos Gavin; and a grandson are deceased.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday and for one hour before the services Saturday in the church. Arrangements are by Shannon Funeral Home in Wheatland.
4/3/01