John E. "Coach" Willingham, Jr.

Mr. John E. Willingham, Jr., 61, of Masury, OH, transitioned to eternal peace on Sunday, January 11, 2026 at the West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA.

            Mr. Willingham, affectionately called “Coach”, was born August 3, 1964 in Youngstown, OH, a son of John E. Sr. and Mary Thomas Willingham.  He was a 1982 graduate of The Rayen School and received a BA degree from I.T. T.  John had been employed as Chief Financial Officer with Youth Intensive Services for over 10 years.  He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church and its Men’s Fellowship.  He coached several teams including the Eastside Little Broncos Football League, Hayes Middle School girls basketball and boys football teams, and The Rayen and East High Schools football teams.

            He leaves to cherish his wonderful memory and to celebrate his life and legacy, his parents, John Sr. and Mary Willingham; his wife, the former Karen Williams, whom he married September 9, 1992; a stepdaughter, Shemen (Carnard) Polk of Corona, CA; two grandchildren, Khyree Dodson of Corona, CA and Lonnie Wade of Barcelona, Spain; a sister, Tracy Willingham of Girard, OH; his uncle, Willie (Ruby) Thomas of Nesbit, Mississippi; best friends, Jerron Jenkins, Dale Ward and Clyde Stevenson; and a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

            He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Cora Thomas Sr; and nephew, Teron Willingham.

            Visitation will be Friday, January 23, 2026 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the Friendship Baptist Church, 111 Water Street, Girard, OH 44420. A celebration of life service will follow immediately at 11:00 a.m.

            Ministry of comfort and dignity entrusted to the L. E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home.

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