Willie Hermon Ogburn, 101, of 1019 6th Street, Petersburg, Virginia went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 5, 2026, at Bon Secours Southside Medical Center, Petersburg, Virginia surrounded by his loving devoted wife and family by his bedside.

Willie was born on July 6, 1924, to the late Alice O. Haris. He lived in Petersburg, Virginia and was a native of La Crosse, Virginia. Willie was educated in the South Hill School System and was baptized at an early age at Lamber's Chapel R.Z.U.A. Church in South Hill, Virginia.

Willie was a proud Veteran of the United Stats Army who served during World War II from September 25, 1943, until December 15, 1945. While serving, Willie obtained the rank of Sergeant and earned Medal of Honor, Campaign Medal and European Campaign Medal.

Willie was all about family and he loved them dearly. He had the ability to entertain relatives and friends with laughter, stories and was always full of fun, especially with his humorous habit of calling his VCR an "RCV". He also often shared stories about his service of honor in the Army. He shared his courage during attacks on Pearl Harbor while continuing to serve his country with bravery and unwavering commitment to his fellow soldiers. He was known for his discipline and leadership not only in the Army, but also with his family.

In his spare time, Willie enjoyed fishing, listening to his old school music, dancing and playing his guitar.

Willie was "Willie" in his own way and to know him was to love him. In 1988, he met the love of his life, Cynthia Ogburn. The love they shared together as one was beautiful and everyone knew he did not play about his "Cindy", as he so fondly called her. She was his everything and he always kept his eyes on her, even in his sleep. Together they shared much love and compassion.

Willie was preceded in death by his mother, Alice O. Harris; grandmother, Dora Mitchell; son, David Ogburn; sister, Alvelena Walker; mother-in-law, Amedine Thomas; daughter-in-law, Leaca Ogburn; granddaughter, Rosa Jones; Great grandson, Keith Jones; and one brother-in-law, Herman Walker.

Willis is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 38 years, Cynthia "Cindy" Ogburn who was his "better half"; sons, Herbert Tisdale (Alice) and Christopher Tyler; two daughters, Alberta Ogburn (James) and Shirley Bonner (Alonzo Sr.); grandchildren, Kimberly Tisdale, Eric Tisdale, Herbert Tisdale, Jr., Gloria Jones (Donald), special and devoted Joyce Jones (Troy), Tammy Shands (Anthony), Edwin Harris (Janel), Davina Patterson and Tony Jones, Jr.; sister-in-law, Denise Thomas; niece, Pearl James; nephews, Robert Walker and Herman Walker, Jr.; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.

Services will be held 3:00 P.M., Saturday, March 14, 2026, in the Chapel of J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA. The interment to follow at Dinwiddie Memorial Park.

J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. Facebook page or click here to view: https://vimeo.com/event/5791653?fl=so&fe=fs