Willie Likens

Willie Likens, 90 years old, passed away on December 19, 2022.

Born on November 28, 1932, he was the son of sharecropper tobacco farmers Amos Likens and Victoria “Vickie” Likens (nee McClanahan) in Westmoreland, Tennessee.

At the age of 18, he joined the US Navy during the Korean War where he served a 4-year term of duty in the Pacific Ocean on a diesel tanker.

Feeling the call to service after his departure from the Navy and after 12 years in private industry, he re-enlisted in the US Coast Guard in 1962 where he served honorably for 16 years. At his retirement, he was a Chief Petty Officer 1 ^st Class.

During his time with the Coast Guard, he was honored to be a part of the Cannikin Nuclear Weapons Test on November 6, 1971, on the island of Amchitka, Alaska, a test that was part of the Operation Grommet Nuclear Test Series.

After his retirement from the Coast Guard, he was employed by the US Border Patrol and later the US Customs Service where he retired.

A devoted husband of 48 years to Kathryn Likens (nee Hines), he faithfully devoted his years to her happiness and wellbeing and the happiness and wellbeing of his children, Steven Likens, Thomas Likens, Ronald Likens and Joy Rohn. His advice to any who solicited it was that family comes second only to God, to always put your spouse and your children above yourself, a philosophy he put into action the entire 90 years of his life that extended to his son-in-law James Rohn and his grandchildren Aubrey Rohn and Kelley Rohn.

During his sweet wife’s final years, he took early retirement where caring for her in her last days became his primary job.

Willie Likens will always be remembered for his affability, his unwavering devotion to his country and his family, and his kindness to all who entered his purview whether foe or friend, family or stranger. His unshakeable faith in Jesus Christ was the centerpiece of his life philosophy and his walk with Christ made him one of the best among us all.

A true hero among men, he will be missed by all who knew him. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.