Obituary of Willard K. Youngblood

Willard K. Youngblood, age 97, beloved husband of Margaret Magner Youngblood, a resident of Oronoque Village in Stratford, CT and Boca Raton, FL, passed away on Monday, October 22, 2012 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Born in Noblesville, IN on May 17, 1915, he was the son of the late Genia Walter and Lillie Caroline Katterhenry Youngblood. Mr. Youngblood (Whitey) was a 1936 graduate of Depauw University in Greencastle, IN where he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. During his high school and college years he was very involved in athletics as an exceptional basketball player and pole vaulter. Upon leaving Depauw, he entered the Business Training Program with General Electric Company in Schenectady, New York. He continued playing basketball for GE and in 1938 he was invited to join the United States AAU basketball team on a four and a half month tour of South America playing exhibition games. He also was a member of a championship curling team in Schenectady. Whitey met Margaret Clark Magner in Schenectady and they were married on September 7, 1940. This was a marriage that would last for 72 years. The length of this marriage was a testament to their love and devotion to each other and their lifelong belief in family. Throughout his life family always came first. He was an active participant in the lives of his daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He always had a kind word for everyone and treated everyone he met with kindness and respect. In 1953 when General Electric moved their headquarters to New York City and later to Fairfield, CT, Whitey continued working as a corporate purchasing executive until his retirement in 1979, after 43 years with the company. While residing in Riverside, CT, he and his family were involved in the community, being active members of the Innis Arden Golf Club, the Riverside Yacht Club and the First Congregational Church. Whitey had a lifelong love of golf and sailing. One of his greatest passions was performing with his close friends in a steel drum band called The Drum Bums which he started and kept active for 20 years. He and his wife, Marge, enjoyed traveling and spent a lot of time in their homes in St. Maarten and Boca Raton, Florida. While in Florida, he met with a group of friends every morning for the sunrise down at the beach. While at Oronoque Village, Whitey played golf with his friends in the Sideshow at Oronoque Country Club. In addition to his devoted wife, Marge of 72 years, survivors include his two loving daughters, Suzanne Y. Finnegan of Stratford, Carolyn Y. Binney and her husband Robert H. Binney of Atlanta, GA, five grandchildren, Richard W. Lees, Jr. of Somers, CT, Deborah L. Zsebik of Fairfield, CT, Robert H. Binney, Jr., Gregory B. Binney, Tyler Y. Binney, all of Atlanta, GA, thirteen great grandchildren, Charles and Ryan Zsebik, Richard and Robert Lees, Cameron, Ashley and Jacob Binney, Christopher, Luke and Matthew Binney, Jordan, Ryan and Meredith Binney and a sister, Helen Y. Cope of Seattle, WA. He was predeceased by his son-in-law Waldron J. Finnegan. Funeral Information A Memorial Service celebrating his life will take place on Sunday, October 28, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. in Nichols United Methodist Church, 35 Shelton Rd., Trumbull. Committal will be at the convenience of the family. Arrangements entrusted to The Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull, CT. Donations Information In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Nichols United Methodist Church, 35 Shelton Rd., Trumbull, CT 06611.