Willie Paul "Squat" Yarbrough's Obituary
Willie Paul "Squat" Yarbrough, 100, of Gainesville, FL, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2023. Born in Roanoke, Paul worked as a weaver and twister frame operator at Handley Mills. He served in the US Army during WWII, taking part in the Normandy invasion and other notable actions. He returned to Roanoke after the war where he met and married Ethel Smith, who worked at the mill with his sisters. He moved to Florida along with family after retirement. He first moved to a rural area near Lake Butler. After returning to Roanoke for several years he moved back to the small town of Archer, Florida for seven years before moving in with family in Gainesville in 2017.
He enjoyed outings with family to Florida theme parks and nature parks. He loved playing baseball and hunting when he was younger and watching college football and softball. He was a fan of classic TV westerns and war movies. Mostly he was a doting grandfather and great-grandfather who would go to any length to spoil the kids.
Preceded in death by his parents, Will and Tommie Nolen Yarbrough, sisters, Jo Gann and Eucala Sikes, and wife, Ethel Smith Yarbrough, he is survived by his son, Tommy Yarbrough of Gainesville, FL, three grandchildren, Lucy and Chris Yarbrough of Orlando, FL, and Nick Yarbrough of Newberry, FL, two great grandchildren Isabella and Jacen Yarbrough of Newberry, and several generations of nieces and nephews who grew up in the Roanoke area.
A visitation with family and viewing will be held Saturday, October 7, 2023 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm CST at Quattlebaum Funeral Home, 319 College St., in Roanoke. A graveside service will follow at Cedarwood cemetery on Sunday, October 8, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. CST.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating in Paul's memory to one of the following veterans support organizations.
Transform Veteran Lives - DAV (Disabled American Veterans)
Wounded Warrior Project - Donate
Make a Donation | Gary Sinise Foundation
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