Katie Willey, 85, of Nederland, Texas passed away on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at Cascades of Port Arthur. Katie was born on November 25, 1936 in San Augustine, Texas to the late, James Andrew Hightower and Vera Myrtle Wagstaff Hightower.

Katie was a member of Triangle Baptist Church, the Eastern Star and Extension Homemakers. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting, word search puzzles and her grandchildren were her pride and joy.

Those left to cherish Katie’s memory include her son, Van David Willey and his wife, Roxanne of Angleton, Texas; daughters, Arnese Marchand and her husband, Darrell of Nederland, Texas and Anna June Willey also of Nederland; sister, Lola Bell Runnels; grandchildren, Nicholas Willey and his wife, Courtney, Justice Marchand and his wife, Brooke, Sarah Phillips and her husband, Caleb, John David Willey and his wife, Crystal, Zachary Willey, Laura Patterson and her husband, Jason, Andrea Sanchez and her husband, Jose and Andrew Willey; and twelve great-grandchildren.

Katie is preceded in death by her parents, James Andrew Hightower and Vera Myrtle Wagstaff Hightower; her husband, Emory David Willey; son, James Andrew Willey; daughter-in-law, Velma Campbell Willey; brothers, Vernon Hightower and Jackie Hightower; and her sisters, Norean Evans and Frankie Nell Davis.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at Melancon’s Funeral Home in Nederland, Texas on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 25, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. also at Melancon’s Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens of Jefferson County.