WILLARD E. HOCKERSMITH

EAST PRAIRIE -- Willard Emro Hockersmith, 59, of Slidell, La., died Monday, Sept. 21, 1992, at Northshore Regional Medical Center in Slidell, following an extended illness.

He was born June 2, 1933, at Charleston, son of Willard T. and Effie M. Mansfield Hockersmith. He was reared by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. P.E. Mansfield.

Hockersmith was formerly of East Prairie and Oklahoma City, Okla., and was a member of Harlan Park Bible Church in Oklahoma City.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara of East Prairie; two sons, W.E. Hockersmith of Slidell, Richard Hockersmith of Poplar Bluff; a daughter, Susan Allen of Poplar Bluff; two sisters, Martha Howard of Cape Girardeau, Alice Patterson of New Madrid, and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son and sister.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Shelby Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Shelvie Stevens will officiate, with burial in East Prairie Memorial Park.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 6 p.m. today.