Jess "Willard" Pursley, age 79, passed away on Saturday, June 23, 2018. Willard was born on November 16, 1938, in Cheatham County, Tennessee, to the late John Henry Pursley and Gracie Mai Binkley Pursley. He was a retired building materials manager for Franklin Lumbar. He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Paul Reasoner Pursley; brother, Simon Pursley; and sisters, Carolyn Parker, Christine Newman and Mildred Newman. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Pursley; son, Danny Pursley; daughter, Pamela Whittaker; brothers, Willie (Brenda), John (Linda), Eugene (Ann Clara) Pursley; sisters, Shirley Holt, Annie Hornburger, and Ruby Newman; two grandchildren, Crystal Ann Santi and Dustin Paul Pursley; and two great-grandchildren, Faith and Jess. Funeral service for Willard will be Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at 11 am in the Chapel of Cheatham County Funeral Home with Brother Cecil Boswell. Burial will follow in Blue Springs Cemetery in Ashland City, Tennessee. Friends may visit the family on Monday, June 25th from 4pm to 8pm and on Tuesday, June 26th from 9 am until service hour of 11 am. Serving as pallbearers are Bruce Whittaker, Raymond "Bubba" Ferguson, Joey Knight, Rodger Dale Ferguson, Brent Pursley, and Michael Ferguson. Cheatham County Funeral Home 615-792-2552 cheathamcountyfh.com