Mr. Willie Gudger of Melbourne, Florida died Sunday, June 15, 2008 in a Melbourne hospital.
Mr. Gudger was born on October 27, 1918 to Samuel B. and Oma Mae Farmer Gudger. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Leland Gudger, Robert Gudger, James G. Gudger and sister, Peggy Gudger. He lived, worked and farmed in Battle Creek until September of 1966 when he and his wife, Nadine (Ridge) and children moved to Melbourne, Florida.
Mr. Gudger, a veteran of WWII served in the United States Army from April 14, 1942 until his Honorable Discharge on October 21, 1945. He served in the European Campaign with Company C of the 270th Engineer Construction Battalion. He served under General George C. Patton and was in Italy, Northern France, Germany, Eastern Europe, Finland and Normandy. Mr. Gudger earned the EAME Theater Ribbon with five Bronze Stars and the Good Conduct Medal.
Mr. Gudger is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Nadine Ridge Gudger; one son, Robert Larry (Patricia) Gudger; four daughters, Dee (Will) Harris of Cullman, Alabama, Sandra (Marty) Fix, Marilyn Zindel and Debra (Matthew) Burgeson of Melbourne, FL; eleven grandchildren; twenty-one great grandchildren; brother, A.J. Gudger; sister, Alma Smith of Kimball, TN; a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted from the Tabernacle of Praise in Kimball, TN on Sunday, June 29, 2008 at 2 PM CDT. Interment will be in Tate Cemetery in Battle Creek.
The family will gather with friends from 6-9 PM on Saturday, June 28, 2008 at Rogers Funeral Home in South Pittsburg.