Wilson County Oldest Veteran turns 100 Years Old, Celebrated on Memorial Day

Memorial Day in Wilson County will be like no other in the past.  This year we celebrate Max Anderson’s birthday, a WW II veteran and the oldest veteran in Wilson County, as he makes the Century mark.    

Max was a Navy pilot trainer during World War II.  Following the war he continued his military service to our country for a total of seven years.   He then became a pilot for Nashville Flying Service. He logged over 20,000 flight hours as a pilot with Nashville Flying Service and other agencies his long career.  Max and his wife Flossie, who have been married 75 years this June, are residents at the Rutland Center, here in Mt. Juliet.

American Legion Post 281 of Mt. Juliet is proud to claim Max as their member.  Max’s birthday celebration has been planned along with a special closing ceremony for the Honoring our American Flag display with the Exchange Club and American Legion.  The event is scheduled for 2:00 pm, at the open field near the train station on East Division here at Mt. Juliet.   Mayor Hagerty of Mt. Juliet, Mayor Ash of Lebanon, and Mayor Hutto of Wilson County are planning to be present to recognize this special veteran.  Together the Mayors will award Max a variety of proclamations, to include the proclamation that May 27^th is Max Anderson Recognition Day. 

Mike Scoville was an original charter member of Post 281 when a bunch of Dell Webb vets decided they wanted to create a Post in Mt. Juliet.  Mike was an great advocate in creating the Honor Guard and was a very active member for the time he lived in Mt. Juliet.  A love interest drew him to East Tennessee and so he moved there to be with her.  He died recently,  like Jan of 2024,  so his family donated this Honor Guard electronic bugle to the post 281 Honor Guard in his memory.   Steven Wren (the HG Commander) wanted to commemorate the Bugle to Michael Scoville’s memory so that Michael would be ever for ever remembered, and purchased the plaque to be secured to the bugle forever more.

MICHAEL L. SCOVILLE, age 75, born October 14, 1948, of Talbott, TN and formerly of Glen Falls, NY, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rita and Louis Scoville; sister, Sharon; and his first wife, Victoria. He is survived by his wife, Georgia Scoville; sister, Deborah Hayes; brother Shawn Scoville; two step-sons; four step granddaughters; eleven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Michael was a member of Community Chapel Freewill Baptist Church in Talbott, TN. He spent 35 years in law enforcement in New York, and served in the U. S. Navy during the Vietnam era.

Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. Monday December 4, 2023 at the Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery with military honors.

Ronald Lewis “Ron” Head, age 80, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.  Ron was born on July 20, 1942, to John Lyman Head and Verna Sanders Covington Head in Springfield, Tennessee.  Ron attended Issac Litton High School where he excelled in basketball and baseball.  He graduated with a degree in finance from Middle Tennessee State University and worked as Manager of Finance at Textron Aerostructures for 35 years before his much deserved retirement.

Ron married the love of his life, Diane (Holt) Head on June 26, 1965.  He was an avid and devoted University of Tennessee fan and loved his Vols.  He also enjoyed working in his yard, boating on the lake and playing golf.  He was a longtime member of Hendersonville Church of Christ, where he served as a Deacon.  In true Christian form, Ron was a humble servant always helping family, friends neighbors and even strangers in need.  Above all else, though, Ron loved his family and was a wonderful Husband, Dad and Poppy.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents John and Verna Head.  He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Diane, daughters; Renee (Ed) Morgan, Jennifer (Jeff) Lancaster and Shanna (Jeremy Weigel) Smith.  Ron was “Poppy” to seven precious grandchildren; Makenzie Morgan, Alec Lancaster, Zack Morgan, Addyson Morgan, Ella Lancaster, Jake Weigel and Brody Weigel.  In addition, he is survived by his brother, Gerald (Betsy) Head and many close friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 6, 2023, from 10 am – 1pm at Hendersonville Funeral Home.  A funeral service will begin at 1 pm in the Chapel officiated by David Swanger.  Burial will follow at Hendersonville Memory Gardens.

LEEDY, Richard “Dick” Eugene, age 80 of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, passed away on February 6, 2023.

 He served his country in the United States Army and was stationed in Korea for a year where he entertained both officers and enlisted men with his beautiful tenor voice as part of the General’s Chorus.  He was a very proud Veteran and a founding member of American Legion Post 281 in Mt. Juliet where he served as Adjutant during their first two to three years.  Being a life member with 35 years of service to the Legion, he also served as Adjutant for many years at Post 88 in Donelson, Tennessee.

He was a blessing to everyone he met, a compassionate and kindhearted man who never met a stranger.

He was loved by all and enjoyed life to the fullest with a great passion for singing.  He was a member of the Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center Choir, enjoyed singing Karaoke and had his own Karaoke business for many years.  He also performed locally with a friend, Bill Feathers, in a singing duo called “Two Men and a Guitar” for many years.  He loved Gospel music and the Golden Oldies.

He was born in Lebanon, PA on July 6, 1942, where he completed high school and joined the Army soon after.  He loved his family and friends immensely and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marion Hess Leedy and Eugene Leedy and son, Dwayne Carl Leedy.

He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Kathleen “Kathy” Ball Harter Leedy; children, James Richard Leedy (Carolyn), Curt (Cindy) Harter, Bobby (Beth) Harter, Katrina Roberts and Melissa Castro; siblings, Judy Heagy, Merrilyn Dundore, Kathy (Tony) James and Brian (Chairie) Leedy.  He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

The Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, February 15^th at Sellars Funeral Home at Mt. Juliet, 2229 North Mount Juliet Road, Mount Juliet, Tennessee at 12:00pm.  The Visitation will also be held on Wednesday, February 15^th from 9:00am until service time at 12:00pm.   Interment will take place at Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery at 2:00pm.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Craig passed away 8/23/2022 with his family at his side from complications due to cancer which he bravely fought for 4 years.

Craig was born and raised in Lockport and spent 21 years on the Lockport Police Dept. retiring from duty in 1995.

He enjoyed the outdoors and loved to golf, especially at the “County” with his longtime friends.

Everywhere he went he met friends and never met anyone twice…even at Disneyland.

In 1999 He and Pamela moved to sunny Las Vegas NV where they stayed for 18 years until moving to Nashville TN in 2017 to be with the family.

Craig was preceded in death by his Mother Marie Widrig and In Laws Frank and Jennie La Rocca.

And is survived by His Wife Pamela(LaRocca), Son Michael , Brother and Sister in law Richard and Francis(LaRocca) D’Angelo, Nephew Joseph and His Wife Andrea D’Angelo, and his beloved “Grandchildren” Sophia , Frank , and Stanlee Craig D’Angelo.

Frank passed away on April 27, 2024.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1948, served in the Korean War between 1950 to 1952, and continued on Active Duty until he retired in 1969.  While in Korea, Platoon Sergeant Frank Abercrombie served with the 32nd Regiment, 7th Infantry Division.   Historically, the 7th ID was one of the first units in action in 1950, taking part in the Inchon Landings and fighting in the Battle of Old Baldy in 1952 (when he was wounded in combat) and the Battle of  Pork Chop Hill in 1953.

Raymond D. Forester  May 12, 1941 – August 14, 2024

Raymond D. Forester, Jr., 83, Gardner, Kansas passed away at home Wednesday, August 14 , 2024 surrounded by his family. Ray was born in Philadelphia, PA and lived all over the United States with his wife of 61 years, Elizabeth “Jayne” Cramp. A brother to 7 siblings, father to Elizabeth “Liz” Carlton (Rob) & Raymond (Sandy) Forester, Grandfather to six, Great Grandfather to four with one on the way and Uncle and Friend to too many to count, Ray was well loved and respected. He served his country as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corp. Ray was one of the founding members of the General Electric Southwest Region and was known for his skill and expertise in sales and marketing. Up until his death, he was a mentor to many; fielding phone calls and providing consultation. Ray was an active member of the American Legion, providing leadership and support to Tyler Cates Post 281. He lived a full life, traveling with Jayne, riding his motorcycles and honing his carpentry skills in his shop.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 26, 2024 at Divine Mercy Catholic Church.  Burial with military honors to follow at 1:30 p.m. at Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to Tunnels to Towers www.t2t.org or Fisher House fisherhouse.org. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.brucefuneralhome.com and/or on the Veterans Legacy Memorial for RAYMOND FORESTER

Ray never said goodbye, always “Watch your back” – telling us to take care. We will miss his strength but know that his memory will drive us forward every day – to do better and be better always.