Rev. James Willard Anderson

Funeral services for Rev. James Willard Anderson, 87, of Lufkin will be held Friday, March 28, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Richard Heyduck officiating. Interment will follow in Bennett Cemetery in Apple Springs.

Mr. Anderson was born October 18, 1937 in Lufkin, Texas to the late Jake Watson “J.W.” Anderson and Dora Emma “Tennie” (Goodman) Anderson, and died Monday, March 24, 2025 in a local nursing home.

Rev. Anderson resided in Lufkin most of his life. After getting his pilot’s license to become a crop duster, and working several years in the construction field, he answered the call to become a United Methodist Minister. He served Springhill, Geneva, Teneha, Pineland, Burke, Ryan’s Chapel, Alba/Golden, China, Beckville, St. John’s in Jacksonville, and Eylau in Texarkana. He was a loving husband, father, paw-paw, and great paw-paw and enjoyed spending time with his family. His hobbies were fishing, hunting and motorcycles. Much to his wife’s dismay, he also enjoyed racing motorcycles.

Survivors include his daughters and sons-in-law, Sharon and Kevin Westbrook, Melanie and Johnny Charanza, all of Lufkin; granddaughters, Nikki Ross of Lufkin, Cara Pilkington and husband Terry of Kennard, Megan Mathews and husband Tim of Lufkin; grandsons, Dustin Anderson of Austin, Randy Laird and wife Kayleen of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Jacob Charanza and wife Macy of Lufkin; great-grandchildren, Madalyn Bunton, Cole Pilkington, Scott Pilkington, Amber Ross, Luke Ross, Emmarie Laird, Van Laird, Noah Mathews, Scarlett Mathews, Amelia Mathews, Allie Charanza, Kate Charanza, Cooper Charanza; and numerous other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 55 years, Annette Bennett Anderson; son, Gary Anderson; son-in-law, Gary Lawrence; and brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Katie Anderson.

Pallbearers will be Jacob Charanza Tim Mathews, Terry Pilkington, Jerry “Max” Anderson, Cory Akers, and Dustin Anderson.

Honorary pallbearers will be Randy Laird and Curtis Anderson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Harbor Hospice, 402 S. John Redditt Drive Suite 203, Lufkin, Texas 75904.

The family would like to express a special thank you to the staff of Harbor Hospice, Southland Rehabilitation and Health Care, and Countryside Senior Living for their loving care and friendship.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.