Willis Cofield

Bristol, RI - Willis Cofield, 87, of the Rhode Island Veterans Home, Bristol, RI, formerly of 86 Warner Street, Newport, died Saturday, October 2, 2004 at the Rhode Island Veterans Home, Bristol, RI.He was the husband of Helen Leona Woodson Cofield. Born in Garner, NC on December 6, 1916, he was the son of the late LeRoy and Charity Haywood Cofield. Mr. Cofield had worked as a custodian in the public works department at the Newport Naval Base for 19 years, retiring in 1970. He was a 20 year Veteran of the US Navy, serving during the Korean Conflict. Mr. Cofield had also worked as a custodian for attorney AL Greenberg. He was a member of the Fleet Reserve Branch 19, NAACP and AARP. Mr. Cofield was a member of the Community Baptist Church in Newport. He had also served as a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher at the former Shiloh Baptist Church in Newport. Mr. Cofield had also worked as a custodian at the Newport YMCA and in the kitchen department at St. George?s School in Middletown. Besides his wife, he is survived by many nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late William Cofield, Rufus Cofield, Ernest Cofield, and Madeline Alston. His funeral will be held on Thursday, October 7, 2004, at 11:00 AM in the Community Baptist Church, 50 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Boulevard, Newport. Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park in Middletown. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to Community Baptist Church, 50 Dr. Marcus F. Wheatland Boulevard, Newport, RI, 02840.