Thomas Howard Willeford

Thomas Howard Willeford, 70, of Roanoke, Virginia, passed away peacefully at Roanoke Memorial Hospital on Saturday, July 4, 2020. Tom was born in Springfield, Illinois, on July 17, 1949, to James Preston Willeford and Mary Jane Howard Willeford. He is survived by his wife Linda Avey Willeford; his brothers Dennis Willeford and Timothy Willeford; his sons Paul, Preston and Christopher Willeford; his grandchildren Josie, Ethan and Chase; and many nieces and nephews. Tom worked as a "Test Man" in the electronics division of GE in Salem, Virginia, where he also achieved some level of infamy for his love of playing pranks on his colleagues. Tom could sleep through any alarm clock ever made and was once featured on a WROV radio segment called "Tom's Wake Up Call" where they actually woke him up in front of a live radio audience for several days in a row, with the whole crew unexpectedly showing up at Tom's house on the last day to wake him up in person to make sure he got to work on time. Tom loved the outdoors and was a Scoutmaster for Troop 5 of the Boy Scouts of America for 7 years. He played the drums for Lanphier High School Marching Band in Springfield, Illinois, and later played for the Roanoke Valley Community Band. Tom was preceded in death by his father and mother James and Mary Jane, older brother James Michael Willeford, and son Stephen Willeford. Tom will be deeply missed by all who knew him. In lieu of flowers the family asks that those who wish to donate make a contribution to The Boy Scouts of America.