Willard L. ( Pete) Lewis

Willard L. (Pete) Lewis passed away Friday evening, February 8, 2019, surrounded by his family. Pete was the son of the late Esther Nell Stoner Lewis and Gordon Lee Lewis and was born in Gordon County on August 18, 1932. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lynda Fox Lewis, to whom he was married for 49 ½ years. He is survived by his wife, Beverly, to whom he was married on December 31, 2005, a daughter, Cheryl (Ronald) Pass of Calhoun, and three sons, Gary (Hope) Lewis of Calhoun, Jon (Angie) Lewis of Rome and Bart (Patricia) Lewis of Kennesaw. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Brian Pass, Kayla (Trey) Goble, Hanna Jon Lewis, Luke Lewis, and Barrett Lewis, and one great-grandchild, Whit Goble. In addition, Pete is survived by three step-children, Jackson (Raya) Lockaby of Fairmount, Angela (Clint) Hight of Adairsville and Anna (Jeremy) Ginnity of Kennesaw, and seven step-grandchildren, Tina (Brandon) Cook, Tara (Andy) Walker, Juliana Lockaby, Jax Lockaby, Jazlyn Lockaby, Luke Hight and Finley Ginnity. Pete was a 1949 graduate of Calhoun High School and attended Clemson University. He was an ardent supporter of both his entire life. From 1974 to 1987, Pete was the PA announcer for the Calhoun Yellow Jackets football team. Pete excelled in Boy Scouts and earned the highest rank of Eagle. He was employed by Lockheed Aircraft Corp. in Marietta for 15 years then went into the textile business where he was an executive and part-owner of Atlantic Carpet Mills, Villa Carpet Mills, Peachtree Carpet Mills and Lacey Rug Mills. Pete retired in 1993 after selling Lacey Rug Mills in Fairmount. Pete also retired with the rank of Major from the Georgia National Guard after 23 years of service. He was a member of the Calhoun Community Church where his funeral service will be held on Monday, February 11, at 3:00 with the Rev. Jerry Rice officiating. A burial service will be held at the family plot in Fain Cemetery immediately following the funeral. The family will receive friends at Calhoun Community Church on Sunday, February 10, from 4:00 to 7:00. Pete will be taken to the church Monday to lie in state from 2pm until the funeral hour. Pallbearers are Brian Pass, Luke Lewis, Bobby McTeer, Jackson Lockaby, Clint Hight and Jeremy Ginnity. Honorary pallbearers are Bobby Lewis, Eddie Lewis, Harry Lloyd, Buck McBee, Edsel (Red) Robbins, Stanley Simpson and Jerry Smith. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com Thomas funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Willard L. (Pete) Lewis.