Obituaries

Willie Childress Sr.

Former Riverhead resident Willie Childress Sr. of Medford died Sept. 7 at Brookhaven Hospital. He was 89.

The son of William and Martha Childress, he was born Jan. 13, 1928, in Cumberland, Va.

Mr. Childress worked for Joseph Gergella Sr. as a landscaper.

Family members said he enjoyed gardening, walking and music and that he loved his church.

Predeceased by his wife, Mamie, in 2007, Mr. Childress is survived by his children, Rosa Lee Childress and Willie Jr., both of Medford and two grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors Saturday, Sept. 16, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead, followed by a funeral service at 10 a.m., officiated by Pastors Anthony Trezza and Kevin McGuiness. Cremation will be private.