Mr. Alphonso James Willoughby Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Honoring the life of Alphonso Willoughby, whom we affectionately called "Uncle Fonso". A pretty light brown eyed baby boy was born on July 5, 1940, in Athens, Georgia. The second born to his parents, James A. Willoughby and Rebecca I. Ford and they named him Alphonzo. His older sister, Nina Willoughby Gibson and both parents preceded him in death. At an early age, he confessed his hope in Christ and was baptized and united with the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. He attended the Macedonia Elementary School in Athens, Georgia. In 1950, Alphonso moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he attended Raymond Elementary School. He always had difficulty making the letter "z" in his name, so he decided to change the spelling by using the letter "s". He later met and married Emma Washington on July 16, 1959. Three children were born, Wayne, Alphonso, Jr., and Valerie. Emma preceded him in death on October 2, 2021 . Alphonso later met and married Cecelia Z. Frazier Pugh. Together they relocated to Milwaukee. No children were born to this union; however, he became a stepfather to Theresa, Walter, Anthony, Sharon and Vernita. Other children, Edward, LaRish and Paris and Cecelia, all preceded him in death. Later, he met and married Faye A. Willoughby. Together, they adopted four children, Tamera, Tio. Tosho. and Terrion. Uncle Fonso began working at an early age. Learning from the school of hard knocks, he held various jobs throughout his life from working in the Chicago stock yards, the Pioneer and Berkeley foundries. He later he became a Truck Driver where he traveled from Chicago to California for many years. During his layovers, he would stop by and visit with family whenever he could. Then working at a local trucking company, he began travelling from Milwaukee to Chicago until he retired on January 3,2018, at the age of 78. Uncle Fonso was a hardworking man, and he took care of a lot of people. He also attended a local church where he served as a Deacon for several years. Uncle Fonso was an outdoors man. He loved going hunting and fishing, a hobby he got from his father. Deer, rabbit, squirrel, and raccoon, yep; they loved hunting it and eating it. He also taught other family members and friends how to hunt and fish. Uncle Fonso really loved to have fun and enjoy life. Unc loved his family and he loved spending time with them. He and his sister with their families always spend time together as often as they could. He loved working on cars and sharing his knowledge with family. Later in life, he became a man of few words. He would give a short answer, but he could hold a conversation with you. And he had a way with words that would have you laughing. And he could dance. He could "cut-a-rug" back in his day. Unc also enjoyed going to movies, his favorites were action movies. He looked forward to eating a burger and fries and drinking a can of beer while there. Afterwards, he enjoyed listing to the blues while sipping a shot of Jack Daniels. After joking around with staff members where he resided, Uncle Fonso sat down to watch television. He took ill, and early Christmas morning at 12:45 o.m.. he was called home to eternity and received his wings. Alphonso leaves to cherish his memory, children, Wayne (Fori) Willoughby, Alphonso Willoughby, Valerie (Derrick) McKinney, Walter Pugh, and Tasha Willoughby; brother, James Willoughby; sister, Vernita Pugh; nieces and nephew, Rebecca Harp, Ida Denton, Victoria Denton, and Joseph Denton; cousins, Jacqueline Payton of Chicago, IL; Edith Frazier of Athens, GA; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews and great-great- great nieces and nephews; devoted and loving niece, Malika Mosley who was there holding his hand when the Lord called his name.

Mr. Alphonso James Willoughby

July 5, 1940 - December 25, 2021