Obituaries 01-04-24

WILLARD RAYMOND "BUFF" BUFFINGTON

June 29, 1940-Dec. 20, 2023

Willard Raymond "Buff" Buffington, 83, died on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023

at his home in Silver Creek.

Born on June 29, 1940 in Lucedale to Oliver Elisha and Mary Heathcock

Buffington, he was an educator and coach for 43 years and a member of

Hepzibah Baptist Church. He coached at Franklin County High School for a

number of years and was affectionately called "Coach Buff."

He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Glenn and Connie

Buffington of Haslet, Texas; three sons and a daughter-in-law, Tony and

Christina Buffington of Hattiesburg, Stanley Buffington of Union Church

and Chris Buffington, Sr., of Hattiesburg; his daughter and son-in-law,

Bridgette and Kenneth Strange of Gulfport; two bonus daughters and their

respective spouses, Ramnona and Jody Neal and DeeDee and Bo Barnes, all

of Silver Creek; 12 grandchildren, four bonus grandchildren, seven

great-grandchildren and 11 bonus great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 27 years, Frankie Buffington;

his parents; his brother, Roland Buffington; a son, Clay Buffington; and

a bonus great-grandchild, Kaelyn Louise Barnes.