Extracted from The Franklin Sun (Winnsboro, LA)
Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Willie James ``Buddy'' Erskin

Funeral services for Willie James ``Buddy'' Erskin, age 81, of Winnsboro were held at 2 p.m. on his 82nd birthday, Tuesday, August 16, 2005 in the chapel of Gill First National Funeral Home in Winnsboro with the Rev. Marion Collier officiating. Military rites were performed at Ogden Cemetery in Liddieville by VFW Post 3155.

He was born on August 16, 1923 in Winnsboro to the union of W. Avert and Susan Trapp Erskin and he passed from this life Sunday, August 14, 2005 at Golden Age Senior Care Hospital in Monroe just two days shy of his birthday.

Mr. Erskin, a life long resident of Franklin Parish, was a decorated United States Army veteran of WWII. For his time in combat, the [sic] he earned the Combat Infantry Badge, the Philippines Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star, the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with three Bronze Battle Stars and two Purple Hearts. After his military career, he worked many years with Northeast LA Power Cooperative in Winnsboro where he retired. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Durham Erskin; and a sister Mary Lou Erskin.

Buddy leaves behind his wife Carmelita Walker Erskin of Winnsboro; five children Jimmy Erskin of Pineville, LA, Joey Erskin of Dickson, TN, Jay Erskin of Linden, TN, June Turner of Winnsboro, and Jerome Erskin of Macungie, PA; 14 grandchildren; one great granddaughter; and many other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers were his grandsons; James Erskin, Jereme Erskin, Josh Erskin, Taylor Erskin, Jameson Turner, and Jarrett Turner.

Honorary pallbearers were Bo Erskin, James Marion Erskin , Denon Jones and Mack Kirksey.