Willard (Gene) Ledford, 81, of Franklin / Otto passed away Monday, June 24, 2019.

Born in Macon County, he was the son of the late Zemery Ledford and Mamie Sanders Ledford. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Jeanette Williamson, Ruth Cowart, Ann Patterson, and Mildred Anderson; and brother, Dennis Ledford.

He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Paula Passmore Ledford; children, Pam Ledford-Harrell (Mike) and Gina Ledford Barrington (Bill); step daughter Renee Whitmire; brother, Bryant Ledford; sisters, Sue Ramsey, Evelyn Tallent, Pat Lowe, and Audrey Brabson; five grandchildren, Nicole Valley, Adam Barrington, Kyle Barrington, Jennifer Barrington Youngwood and Adrian Greer; great-grandchildren Liam, Mclain, Callan and Cora Youngwood; Myra Barrington and Gage Crawford, and Gabe Miller; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gene served his country through service in the Air Force and retired from the National Guard. He worked at Belk's for several years and served his community by working for the Franklin Police Department for 15 years and the Macon County's Sheriff's Department as Juvenile Officer for 22 years. In this role as Juvenile Officer he was named as the North Carolina Juvenile Officer of the Year. Gene was instrumental in the creation and implementation of KID'S Place and served on the executive board for several years. He was a member of Betty's Creek Baptist Church and was very active in various missions.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, June 28, at Betty's Creek Baptist Church, Rabun Gap, GA. Rev. Don Moffitt will officiate. Military Honors will be conducted by the VFW Post 7339 and the American Legion Post 108.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm Thursday, June 27, at Macon Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Kid's Place PO Box 693, Franklin, NC 28744.

Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Condolences can be made to the family at www.maconfuneralhome.com