Willie Sneed

Willie Sneed, was born in Macclenny, Florida, on August 14, 1930 and passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 12:15 AM peacefully at his home in Mebane, NC.  He was surrounded by his loving and devoted wife, Sally; his daughter Jeanette Sneed O’Briant and her husband Stephen Gerald O’Briant.  Willie was a Christian man.  He always said to “never stop praying”.

He is survived by:  Sally Louise Sneed, his wife; Jeanette Sneed O’Briant, and Stephen Gerald O’Briant, his daughter and son-in-law; Marissa Jean Parker and Chris Parker, his grand- daughter and grand son-in-law; and his precious great grand-daughters, Morgan Parker and Brighton Parker.

He is predeceased by:  His father Leon Sneed, his mother Fannie Whittle Sneed, and his sister Ethel Tryan.  Half-brothers:  Albert Jarrell, Edward Jarrell, Ambers Jarrell, Oscar Jarrell and half-sister Edna P. Vann.

Willie had a 6th grade education as he was pulled from school to work in the fields.

Mr. Sneed joined the US Army on the September 20, 1950.  He was assigned to Fort Jackson, SC for training.  Upon completion of his training, he was transferred on February 25, 1950 to the United Nations’ Police Action being conducted in South Korea (the Korean War).  He was assigned to "Echo" Company, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division.  He fought on the frontline on both Bloody Ridge and Heartbreak Ridge and was twice wounded.  He was then transferred to the US on December 22, 1951 and assigned to the US Army 10th Corps, Fort Ord, California where he also served with the 26th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One), the Federal Republic of Germany.  SFC Sneed, earned the Combat Infantrymen’s Badge, the US Army Good Conduct Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Medal, the Distinguished Unit Citation Medal, the Army Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp and the Korean Service Medal with Two Service Stars, and a Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster.  SFC Sneed was discharged from the US Army on August 29, 1953.

Willie was a roofer in Miami, Florida for 21 years after his honorable discharge from the Army until 1968 when he became disabled.  Willie and his wife Sally, lived in Florida most of their lives and moved to North Carolina in 2014.

Willie’s passion was fishing.  He would go out to the Florida Everglades and fish from dawn to dusk or until his arm got tired from pulling in all the fish.  He also enjoyed working on cars and small engines and helping neighbors when he could.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 11:00AM at McClure Funeral Service in Mebane.