Will M Fields

His Lord said unto him; Well done, thou good and faithful servant.  Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.  – Matthew 25: 21

Will Fields was born, July 18, 1940 in Neelyville, Missouri.  He was the son of Mary Lou Lasley and Rev. Thomas Jerry Fields.  Raised in a loving and religious home, he was baptized at an early age.

Will attended New Hope Elementary School in Neelyville, Missouri.  His high school education was in Poplar Bluff, Missouri at Wheatly High School but he graduated from Neelyville High School in 1958, the year the school was integrated.

Will moved to Indianapolis, Indiana in 1962 and worked for Volkswagen before being hired on with Allison Gas Turbine, where he retired after 28 years as a millwright.  Will enjoyed working and wasn’t one to sit idle.  He worked another 3 years at the U. S. Postal Service and then 18 years for Weir Cook and Indianapolis International Airport before retiring again in April 2015.

Will met Shirley Mae Griffin in 1962.  She became the love of his life.  They were married on February 11, 1964 and celebrated 55 years of marriage this past February.  He was a loving and devoted father to five children; Anthony, Kimberly, Leigh, William and Heather.

In 1968, New Light Missionary Baptist Church became Will’s church home.  He was a very active member and was ordained a Deacon in 1972, elected as Trustee in 1973, Assistant Treasurer in 1973, elected Treasurer in 1976.  He became Chairman of the Trustee Board from 1980 to 2006.  Will also served as Head Usher and was an outstanding and highly respected teacher.  A very giving man, he would not only provided and help those he loved but also for others he found in need.

Will was a man of may skills and loved using his hands, working with machinery.  He went back to school at Arsenal Technical for small engine repair and opened  a small engine shop out of his garage.  Will also enjoyed farming, planting and harvesting crops, especially on the land down home in Harviell, Missouri.

Will M. Fields departed this life at home early Tuesday morning May 28, 2019, at the age of 78 years, 10 months and 13 days.  He was preceded in death by his father, Rev. Thomas Jerry Fields; mother, Mary Lou Fields; sister, Melkery Turner; brother, Roy Fields; and special Aunt, Melkery Miller.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his lovely and devoted wife Shirley M. Fields; two sons, Anthony D. Beedles and William M. Fields; three daughters, Kimberly D. Byrd (Roderick), Leigh C. Fields and Heather C. Fields; 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Lawrence T. Fields and Joseph Fields; six sisters, Elnora Vaughn, Flora Cooper, Mandy King, Violet Fields, Aughty L. Bailey, Velena Weaver and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.