Willie Marshall Gafford Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Willie Marshall Gafford, 71, passed away on June 25, 2022, with his beloved canine son Buddy by his side. He is survived by his daughters Kelly Gafford, Tara Gafford and their mother Teresa Baxter Gafford, all from Murfreesboro. Sisters Gloria “Boe” Buckner of Pulaski, Sharon Swift and brother-in-law Bobby of Cookeville, Brenda Gafford and sister-in-love Maryann Hunt both of Goodlettsville. A lifelong resident of Nashville, Marshall played amateur ball under Larry Schmittou. He spent many years playing in leagues earning places on both the Babe Ruth and Connie Mack World Series teams. A graduate of Maplewood High School class of 1968, he proudly served as Mr. Maplewood and President of his graduating class. Marshall was an employee of Peterbilt Motors for over 35 years. It was at these two places that he formed many of his lifelong friendships. He was preceded in death by his parents Dorothy (Gray) Gafford Wayman, Willie Marshall Gafford, Sr. and step-father Ray Wayman. To know Marshall, was to know his love of all things outdoors. His favorite mornings were spent in a tree stand listening for branches to break or letting Buddy run rabbits below the dam at Percy Priest. He could spot a red tail hawk in a tree a mile away or a whitetail in a field at 300 yards. Hunting, fishing, golfing, boating - he loved it all! And he loved the people he did it with! He left behind a lot of golfing buddies, hunting companions and fishermen with tales left to tell. He loved you as much as you loved him. His lasting legacy will be the 100’s of young men and women he introduced to his love of the outdoors. He loved seeing them experience their first hunt and sharing his tips with them. To share that devotion we are asking, that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his honor to the TWRF (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation, www.twrf.net) or the JC Beesley Animal Foundation(www.beesleyanimalclinic.com).

Willie Marshall Gafford

October 12, 1950 - June 25, 2022