WILLIE MECHAM

Willie Avery Mecham, 79, 417 Albert, died Wednesday, June 5, 1996, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

He was born March 6, 1917, in Grand Rapids, Mich., son of Clarence and Sarah Nettie Howard Mecham. He and Ethel M. Lincoln were married Jan. 22, 1938, in Cape Girardeau. She died Dec. 1, 1988. He then married Gloria McClanahan June 12, 1992, in Cape Girardeau.

Mecham was a truck driver with Tucker Truck Lines and Inman Truck Lines a total of 32 years, retiring in 1979. He received a Safe Driving Award from his company and the American Trucking Association. He was a member of Lynwood Baptist Church and Teamsters Local 574.

He had lived in Cape Girardeau since he was a young boy.

Survivors include his wife; five daughters, Margaret Greene, Karen Dodds, Deborah Brown and Lisa Burkhart of Cape Girardeau, Cheryl Merkler of Fruitland; 10 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, two brothers, a sister, a granddaughter and a great-granddaughter.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel from 4-8 p.m. today.

Funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the chapel, with the Rev. Mark Anderson officiating. Burial will be in Lorimier Cemetery, with graveside rites by VFW Post 3838.