Obituary of Willa Mae Compton

Willa Mae �Billie� Compton age 94, of Camdenton, Missouri, departed this life on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at Camdenton Windsor Estates, Camdenton, Missouri. Willa Mae was born October 23, 1918 in Gray County, Kansas the daughter of William Harvey and Ida Mae (Tallman) Ray. She was united in marriage to James Earl Compton May 29, 1937 in Mt Vernon, Missouri. Together they shared 74 years of marriage until his death November 7, 2011. Willa Mae graduated from Richards Missouri High School May 15, 1936. She then attended Southwest Missouri State Teachers College and began teaching in a one room school house in western Vernon County where she taught over 15 years. Willa Mae also attended Southwest Baptist College to continue her education. She worked with Earl in the farming industry during these years. After rural one-room school consolidation was completed in the early 1950�s, Willa Mae worked over 20 years in the administrative office of the J.C. Penney Co. in Nevada, Missouri until her retirement in 1978. Willa Mae and Earl enjoyed visiting Lake of the Ozarks where they purchased property in 1963 and retired there in 1978. Even during retirement Willa Mae continued working. She became a licensed real estate agent and also an Avon representative. She loved playing cards with Earl and friends at the Camdenton Senior Center. She enjoyed fishing, sewing, cooking and quilting. Willa Mae was a member of the Newcomers/Longtimers Club and the ABWA. She was a member of Camdenton Community Christian Church. She also volunteered in Camdenton R-III Dogwood Elementary for over 10 years. Willa Mae was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who created many beautiful memories for her family and friends. Willa Mae is survived by one son, Wayne Earl Compton and wife, Kathleen, of Camdenton, Missouri; two granddaughters, Hilary Gremminger and husband, John, of Altus, Oklahoma and Cecily Compton of Springfield, Missouri; two great-grandchildren, Robert James Gremminger and Elsa Kathleen Gremminger; one niece, Martha Zelinski of Lorain, Ohio, along with several other relatives and friends. In addition to her husband Earl, Willa Mae was preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers, Aubrey L. Ray and Elza D. Ray.