Willie Gerald _ Mickles “ LANCASTER, South Carolina - Willie Gerald Mickles, 58, passed away Saturday, July 18, 2009 in Clinton, Utah, surround- — ed by his loving wife and family, after +a courageous battle with cancer. He | was an inspiration of optimism to everyone, — » even in his most trying \ hours. Willie was born December 24, | | 1950 in Lancaster, South Caroli- na, the oldest son of Willie — _ Jasper and Lula Catoe Mickles. He grew up in Lancaster and © attended Barr. Street High School. After graduation, he enlisted with the U.S. Air Force and served his country during the Vietnam War era. na _ Willie dedicated his life's work to the Trucking industry, logging in over three million miles in his — 37 year-career. His tremendous | work ethic, which inspired others | to dream big and work hard, will ~ be. part of his legacy. During his career, he traveled through many | tegions of the U.S., settling in the love of his life and eternal companion, Connie Lobato. They were married August 27, 1983. His love and dedication to his ‘country, family, and friends will never be forgotten - along with | | j passion in life was being a devot- - _€d husband, father, son, brother and grandfather. (Sonya) Mick- Lula Catoe Mickles, Lancaster, ters, (Donese Johnson) SC; two brothers and three sisFred Mickles, Leroy (Andrea) Mickles, Ruby Lee (Leroy) Mingo, Martha A. Mickles and Shirley A. Mickles, all of Lancaster, SC; numer-. Ous aunts, uncles, nieces and. nephews, all of whom love and admire him. | _ He was preceded in death by his father, Willie Jasper Mickles, and his grandparents. si, , All family and friends are wel- come to attend funeral services and a celebration of Willie's life, on Saturday, July 25 at 2 p.m. at _Lindquist's Roy West 5600 South. Mortuary, 3333 Friends may call-at the mortuary on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. Interment, ‘ ington Lindquist's Heights Memorial 4500 Washington Blvd. — Wash- Park, | Send condolences to the fam- ily Www. at: lindquistmortuar y.com ee _ included - his. greatest "Rodney" ne friends. However, Carlos Also surviving are his mother, _ eryone; he never meta stranger. fishing, NASCAR racing, travel"ing, football, basketball, golf and _.bar-b-queing with his family and Ogden); sons,’ Willis Mickl | Ogden; Sheddric (Tara) es, Mickles; Roy: _ na), Roy; and 17 and a half : grandchildren. | his famous bar-b-que (culinary skills), his sense of humor, and his love and acceptance of ev- | passions: South: (Shannon) les, Greensboro, NC; daughters, Angela Mickles, San Diego, CA; Alana Mickles (fiance Jake Medi- Utah in 1978, where he later met Willie's Surviving are his wife, Con- | ‘nie, of Lancaster, SC (originally