Birth Born on March 25, 1944 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Co., OK Death Died on May 03, 2015 in Harris Co., TX Buried in Houston National Cemetery in Houston, Harris Co., TX Marriages LONG, Monta Eugenia Married on December 04, 2010 in Harris Co., TX Notes Occupation: Electrical Engineer General Electric/ USAF Major/ Owner Sooy-n-Ashes Chimney Sweep Military Service: Vietnam USAF Staff Sergeant Obituary: WILLIS OWEN MAHAFFEY, JR., 71, went to be with his Lord on May 3, 2015, while in Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas. He was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on March 25, 1944, to Lucille and Willis Mahaffey Sr. He is preceded in death by his mother, Lucille Mahaffey, sister, Lois Moore-Malvo, nephew Clay Robbins and niece Kim Robbins. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Genia Ripley Mahaffey, father, Willis O. Mahaffey Sr., sons, TSgt Willis Allen Mahaffey and Jeffrey Clay Mahaffey, sisters, Sherry Barnes and husband James M. Barnes Sr., Helen Karr, brother-in-law Ron Malvo and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by step-children Carie Ripley Wells and husband, Daren, Randal Ripley and grandsons Weston and Vance Wells. Willis served in the United States Air Force starting as enlisted and was given a scholarship to Oklahoma University where he received his degree in Electrical Engineering. His first project as an Engineer was with General Electric to develop the Gatling gun that is on the nose of the A10 Wart Hog. The gun has been modified and used throughout the different military departments. Discharged at the rank of SSgt and immediately sworn in as 2nd Lieutenant, Willis was sent to the Air Force Institute to receive his Masters in Engineering. He retired in 1986 at the rank of Major after 23 years of honorable service. He received the Flying Cross for work done on the Airborne Laser used today to triangulate enemy sites for bombing. An interesting business Willis started after retirement was as a Chimney Sweep with his company. Soot~n~Ashes. He wore his top hat and tails as he worked cleaning chimneys in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Willis was a devout Christian serving his Lord in many areas at Memorial Baptist Church. He loved woodworking, gardening and was an excellent golfer winning many amateur tournaments. His first hole-in-one earned him and Genia a trip to Maui in 2011. Willis will be me missed by his friends and family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Discipleship Program at Memorial Baptist Church \endash Pasadena, Texas, the American Heart Association \endash Houston, Texas or the American Cancer Society \endash Houston, Texas. The service honoring Willis' life will be held at 11:00am Wednesday, May 6, at Memorial Baptist Church in Pasadena, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will privately be held at Houston National Cemetery. Sources Newspaper Obituary: Houston Chronicle Houston,TX May 2015 Images Willis Mahaffey Willis Mahaffey