Willie Ira Allen

Willie Ira “Buddy” Allen passed away on August 11, 2021 in Orange Park, FL. He was born on May 30, 1933 in Perry, GA, to the late Willie Lee Allen and Mardra Smith Sims. 

Willie served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1955. He worked at Rainbow Springs as a glass bottom boat driver until the park closed in 1973. Willie later went on to work at the Florida Power Corporation Nuclear Plant, now Duke Energy, for 21 years, earning the title of master mechanic and retiring in 1994. He loved bowling, umpiring Little League Baseball for 35 years and supporting his Florida State Seminoles. Willie attended Mount Olive AME Church, Dunnellon, FL, and St. James AME Church, Inverness, FL.  

Willie was preceded in death by his parents. 

He is survived by his wife, Fredrika Allen; children, Willie (Lauretta) Allen, Mitchell Allen, Vivian (Tommie, Sr.) Waters, Martinez Allen, Sr., Dexter Allen, Sr., Samuel (Christy) Franklin, Sr. and Clifford (Kelly) Franklin; sisters, Lavern (Eugene) Harris and Kathy Isabell; 26 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Also left to cherish his memory are sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, as well as a multitude of other relatives and friends. 

The family would like to thank Brooks Home Health nurses, Gayle, Rose and Stephanie, and VA Home Based nurses, ARNP Scheider and nurse Oliver, for care given to their loved one, Willie Allen. 

A visitation will be held Wednesday, August 18, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, 529 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, Florida 32073.

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