Willie R. Cornett, 72, North Manchester, Indiana passed away in his home on July 5, 2019 at 3:54 a.m. Willie was born on December 5, 1946 in Leslie County, Kentucky to Roy and Frankie (Williams) Cornett. He was first married to Barbara Cornett, the mother of his 6 children. She survives. He later married Laurie R. Kieffaber on June 23, 2002. She survives.
Willie started his working life at age 14, working in the coal mines of Kentucky. At the age of 19, he moved to Indiana. In 2001 Willie retired from Wabash Alloy after 35+ years of service. While working at Wabash Alloy, he was a member of the International Brotherhood of Boilermaker. He was a proud father, grandfather, and great grandfather and loved his wife dearly. He enjoyed football, NASCAR, Westerns, fishing, woodworking and tinkering with machinery. He referred to himself as “a shade tree mechanic.” He loved his dogs, Peanut and Moses. Willie was a member of the Wabash Church of the Brethren.
Willie will be remembered by his wife, Laurie R. Kieffaber Cornett, North Manchester, IN; three sons, Kelvin (Christie) Cornett, Converse, IN, Stewart (Suzanne) Cornett, Amboy, IN, Lee Shell, Peru, IN; two daughters Shirley (Tim) Page, Amboy, IN, Lana (Shane) Deford, Peru, IN; one honorary daughter, Mikayla Genovese; two brothers, Floyd Cornett, Denver, IN and Donnie Cornett, KY; five sisters Doris (Dave) Miller, Wabash, IN, Gail (Roger) Williams, Wabash, IN, Norma Barnes, Mentone, IN, Helen France, KY, Nancy Smith, KY; seven grandchildren, Michael and Zach Page, Robyn and Alexia Cornett, Bryan Zirkle, Krysta and Kameron Graham; and three great-grandchildren, Alannah, Isaac and Caiden.
A memorial service will be held at a later date with Pastor Doug Veal and Pastor Kay Gaier officiating. Arrangements are entrusted to McKee Mortuary.
Although flowers are welcome, a love offering for the family to help with final expenses may be made to McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, IN 46962.