William Ellis Josey Obit, 3 Mar 2018

William's Obituary

Funeral service for Colonel William 'Sonny' Ellis Josey, 87, will be Thursday, March 8, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Midway Memory Gardens Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Don Barnett officiating. The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 8th from 12 to 2 p.m. Burial will be in Midway Memory Gardens Cemetery. Colonel Josey died Saturday, March 3, 2018 at Adams Nursing Home. He was a native of Lanett, AL and a resident of Talladega. He was employed by SoderHamn Machine Mfg. Co.; worked as an inside salesman for Kockums Industry for 31 years; and Precision American Corporation. He was a member of Mason Lodge #261 in Talladega, York Rite 32 Degrees, and member of Zomora Temple of Birmingham, AL as a Shriner. He was a member of Trinity Methodist Church in Talladega. Colonel Josey was a retired veteran of the U.S. Army. He was in the Korean War, 464th AAA BN HQ. S-2 Intelligent Section, 5 years in the National Guard, Intelligent U.S. Army, member of Alabama State Defense Force, HQ 203rd Bn. 2nd BDE. 1991-2009; honorably discharged at Full Bird Colonel; received 2 citations U.S. Guard Association and Alabama State Defense Force. Colonel Josey also received numerous metals and ribbons. He was preceded in death by his precious, loving wife of 63 years, Lillian Joyce Josey; and 2 brothers, David Josey and George Josey. He is survived by 1 daughter, Joyce Charlene Mann (Frank) of Tuscaloosa; 1 son, William 'Roy' Josey (Julia) of Chelsea. 2 brothers, Louis Josey (Jane) and Howard Josey both of Talladega; 6 grandchildren, Lauren, Sarah, John, Jessica, June, and Justin; and a host of nieces and nephews. The pallbearers will be supplied by the military. Midway Memory Gardens Funeral Home will direct the service.