Willard (W.T.) Armitage, Jr. said goodbye to this earthly world on October 5, 2021. His treasures were his wife, his children, grandchildren (His favorite source of stories and joy as they had adventures in the world) and his loyal dog Mischief.
He was an avid LSU fan and when they moved to Alabama, he proudly posted the Tiger flag on his cottage porch and happily sported the purple and gold in his new home of Fairhope, Alabama. After much discussion about decor, he was victorious, and a giant poster of Joe Burrow was placed on the wall in his TV room.
He and Vicki had an unconventional love, the criminal lawyer and the dance studio owner. And they lived a life full of adventures.
His legal career spanned decades of both defense and prosecution work with his retirement from the Rapides Parish District Attorney’s office leaving him with amazing friendships. He was chosen to be one of the defense attorneys in the historic and record-breaking case “Trial of the Century” in Lafayette, Louisiana where bleachers were erected in the courtroom to hold the multiple attorneys representing the defendants.
His education at LSU was interrupted by a stretch in Vietnam (11th Armored Cavalry) then back to LSU law school. W.T., affectionately known as “T” by his peers and fraternity brothers, practiced privately in central Louisiana, followed by his work with the public defender’s office and then as Assistant District Attorney. He was President of the Young Lawyers Association, President of the Alexandria Jaycees, President of the Cenla Kiwanis Club, and worked on many political campaigns, all the while, working backstage at Vicki’s annual Dance Recitals. His retirement brought new friendships in his small group at 3Circle Church (where his faith was nurtured), walking the dog along Mobile Bay and greeting cherished neighbors, being surrounded by a community that was not only beautiful but warm and welcoming.
W.T. is survived by his loving wife of 44 years Vicki Armitage; children Kelly Greene McCarley(Hank) of Fairbanks, Alaska and Robby Greene of Indianapolis, Indiana; four grandchildren Ashlee Greene, Madeline Greene, Jillian McCarley, and Jack McCarley; brother-in-law Ken Buhrman(Norma), sisters-in-law Shari Drerup and Mitzi Taylor; nephew Todd Buhrman; nieces Melissa Buhrman Nunnery, Teresa Buhrman, Lauren Drerup Stokes, Christian Drerup, and Alexa Taylor; and a host of great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and wonderful friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to: 3Circle Church of Fairhope Alabama, The Haven No Kill shelter in Fairhope, Alabama or the Food Bank of Central Louisiana.
The family wishes to thank Comfort Care Hospice for their support during his brief illness, especially Allie, Katy, and Kenya. And a huge thank you to Gina Hall for her love and care.
A memorial celebration will be held at Henry George Park in Fairhope, Alabama on Monday November 22, 2021, at 1 p.m. with internment following at the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort, Alabama under the direction of Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home in Fairhope.
