Wiletta 'Willie' Malone

Wiletta 'Willie' Malone, age 81, passed away peacefully on April 16th, 2024, after an extended stay at the Anthology Senior Living facility in Denton, Texas. She was born on September 10th, 1942, in Denton, Texas, to the parents of Woodrow 'Woody' Malone and Edith Gladys Woods. She was an only child.

She attended Denton High School, graduating in 1960. After school she attended the University of North Texas, graduating in 1965 with a BS in physical education. She earned a second bachelor's degree in emergency management in 1988. Willie also took classes at Texas Woman's University.

After her studies, Willie enlisted in the United States Army Women's Army Corps (1965). She was direct commissioned and graduated from WAC Officer Basic Course (1966).  During her twenty-five-year career, she served in the Military Police; served on the staff at U.S. Military Academy-West Point; commanded a WAC company at Beaumont Army Hospital in El Paso, Texas; was an Admin and Personnel officer at two different Army Reserve Hospitals in Montana; and was an Individual Mobilization Augmentee working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a Hazardous Material Program Specialist. She retired from the Reserves in 1990 as a Lieutenant Colonel. During her dedicated years of service, Willie earned the National Defense Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster. While a Reservist, she served her adopted state of Montana as a police officer and later an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Firefighter. While living in Montana, she also owned and operated an oil distribution and auto parts service and repair shop. Willie parlayed her military experience into a twenty-year career with FEMA, retiring in 2002 with many accolades and letters of commendation.

While living in Montana, Willie trained and then raced a sled dog team for fun. Telling the stories to her long-time caregiver, Donna Bumgarden, she remarked that her experiences with dog sledding were some of her more enjoyable times in her life and actually quite fun.

Her love of dogs continued as a constant theme throughout her life. Her fur-children companions Pumpkin, Pearly, Happy, and Munchkin, each held a special place in her heart as each were a part of her 'pack'.

Willie loved 'everything' about women's college and professional basketball. From the inception of her favorite team, the Dallas Wings, she became a season ticket holder and delighted in attending games when her Wings played in Arlington.

Willie and lifelong companion, Hollace 'Hollie' Hervey loved their travel adventures together. They traveled extensively throughout the states in their RV. They were members of the Texas Lone Star Dulcimer Society and the Red River Valley Dulcimer Club from 2002 to present. Traveling to dulcimer music festivals to reunite with old friends while also making new friends, in this shared love, often served as highlights of their annual travels.

She will be sorely missed by the many dulcimer club member friends, by the residents and wonderful staff at Anthology. Others saddened by her leaving are Donna, Patrice, Tammy, Linda and Beth and Howard; though we know she is now at peace. A special thanks is extended to the caregivers and nursing staff at Anthology as well as, Becky with Trio Hospice for the incredible care provided to Willie. The 'Honor Walk' was an incredibly touching send off for Willie.

A memorial service will be held during the 42nd Lone Star Dulcimer Festival on Sunday, May 12 at 10:00am at the Oakdale Park Campground in Glen Rose, Texas.

In lieu of flowers friends may choose from the following to donate in Willie's name: Lone Star State Dulcimer Society, made payable to Cheryl Turner with the memo to LSSDS, 10264 Ranch Diego Lane, Crowley, TX  76036.; Red River Valley Dulcimer Club, c/o Lynda Bowers, 413 Island Bayou, Calera, Oklahoma 74730; City of Denton Animal Shelter, 3717 N Elm Street, Denton, TX 76207; Military Women's Memorial and Museum in Arlington, Virginia, https://womensmemorial.org/planned-giving/

A private service will be conducted at a later date with burial in the Little Elm Cemetery.