Willard “Bill” Forrister, 97, of Murphy died Sunday, February 9, 2014 at his residence. He was a native of Cherokee County, where he had lived most of his life. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the United States Army in the Pacific Theatre. Bill was a retired lead burner having worked in Arizona, Montana, Idaho, and Alabama. He was an active union man. He was a member and strong supporter of Harris Chapel Church of God.

He was the son of the late C.C. and Iowa Montgomery Forrister and the husband of the late Jewell Ledford Forrister, who died September 1, 2005. He was also preceded in death by his step-mother, Estelle Forrister.

Surviving are a daughter, Ann Wilson and husband, Ed of Marietta, GA; two sons, Gene Forrister of Murphy and Morris Forrister and wife, Carolyn of Westcliffe, CO; a sister, Helen Forrister Gibson of Murphy; a brother, Charles Forrister of Murphy; five grandchildren, Matthew and Andrew Wilson, Karin Cutcliff, Stephanie Hardee, and Darryl Forrister; and seven great grandchildren, Forest, Canaan, and Jordan Wilson, Christian and Lauren Cutcliff, and David and Zack Hardee.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM Saturday, February 15 in the Harris Chapel Church of God with the Revs. Jim Hall and Allen Harris officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery. Grandsons and nephews served as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers.

The family received friends from 6-8 Friday evening at the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy where the body remained until placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the services.

The family requests memorials be made in memory of Willard “Bill” Forrister to a charity of your choice.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of all arrangements.