Willie Louis Jenkins, 86, of Denton, Texas, passed away on January 25, 2021 in Denton. He was born on January 24, 1935 in Basile, Louisiana to Newburn and Ella (Douget) Jenkins. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mildred Brasher Jenkins, his sisters Gussy Bellon and Esther McKown, brothers Milburn Jenkins, George Jenkins, and Cullen Jenkins.
Willie grew up on rice and cotton farms in and around Evangeline Parish where he learned lifelong skills of carpentry, auto mechanics, and dry humor. After graduating from Basile High School in 1953 and a short stint as an Esso gas attendant, he spent 4 years in the Air Force including two 6-month tours in Italy. Between those tours, he met the love of his life, Mildred Brasher, at a Southern Baptist church in Pineville, La. Upon completing his tour of duty, Willie married Mildred, then both attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Willie on the G.I. Bill.
After graduation, he taught one year of high school in Kinder, Louisiana before taking a position at Howard Payne University where he taught mathematics and computer science from 1964 until 1980. From 1980 until his retirement in 2000, he taught mathematics and computer science at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. In his latter years, he resided in Argyle and ultimately Denton, Texas.
Willie was a devout Christian and lifelong member of Southern Baptist churches where he served in a variety of capacities including Deacon, Building Committee Member, Royal Ambassador Leader, Sunday School Teacher, and Church Bus Driver.
He is survived by his son Ed Jenkins, daughter Cynthia Cooper, son-in-law Lance Cooper, granddaughters Amelia Jenkins, Claire Burkett and Adlai Jenkins, grandsons Jasper Jenkins and Cullen Burkett, great grandson Emmett Jenkins, brother-in-law Robert Boone, and dozens of nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 28, 2021 from 3-7 PM at DeBerry Funeral Directors in Denton, Texas. Additional visitation will be held at Quirk and Sons Funeral Home on Saturday, January 30, 2021 from 11-1 PM with funeral services to follow at the First Baptist Church in Basile, Louisiana. Interment will follow at Basile Protestant Cemetery in Basile, LA.
