Willie Gerald Mickles

Willie Gerald Mickles, 58, passed away Saturday, July 18, 2009 in Clinton, Utah, surrounded by his loving wife and family, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was an inspiration of optimism to everyone, even in his most trying hours.

Willie was born December 24, 1950 in Lancaster, South Carolina, the oldest son of Willie Jasper and Lula Catoe Mickles. He grew up in Lancaster and attended Barr Street High School. After graduation, he enlisted with the U.S. Air Force and served his country during the Vietnam War era.

Willie dedicated his lifes work to the Trucking industry, logging in over three million miles in his 37 year-career. His tremendous work ethic, which inspired others to dream big and work hard, will be part of his legacy. During his career, he traveled through many regions of the U.S., settling in Utah in 1978, where he later met the love of his life and eternal companion, Connie Lobato. They were married August 27, 1983.

His love and dedication to his country, family, and friends will never be forgotten - along with his famous bar-b-que (culinary skills), his sense of humor, and his love and acceptance of everyone; he never met a stranger.

Willie''s passions included fishing, NASCAR racing, traveling, football, basketball, golf and bar-b-queing with his family and friends. However, his greatest passion in life was being a devoted husband, father, son, brother and grandfather.

Surviving are his wife, Connie, of Lancaster, SC (originally South Ogden); sons, Willis (Shannon) Mickles, Ogden; Sheddric (Tara) Mickles, Roy; Carlos "Rodney" (Sonya) Mickles, Greensboro, NC; daughters, Angela Mickles, San Diego, CA; Alana Mickles (fiance Jake Medina), Roy; and 17 and a half grandchildren.

Also surviving are his mother, Lula Catoe Mickles, Lancaster, SC; two brothers and three sisters, Fred (Donese Johnson) Mickles, Leroy (Andrea) Mickles, Ruby Lee (Leroy) Mingo, Martha A. Mickles and Shirley A. Mickles, all of Lancaster, SC; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, all of whom love and admire him.

He was preceded in death by his father, Willie Jasper Mickles, and his grandparents.

All family and friends are welcome to attend funeral services and a celebration of Willie''s life, on Saturday, July 25 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist''s Roy Mortuary, 3333 West 5600 South.

Friends may call at the mortuary on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. Interment, Lindquist''s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.

Send condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com