Willie Fred Rister

Willie F. Rister, age 87, slipped away to be with the Lord and his three sons on Monday, November 16th. He was at home in the presence of his beautiful wife of nearly 70 years in Orlando, Florida as he said goodbye to this world and entered the next. He was born in Dothan, Alabama to Noah and Vassie Rister and was an only child. Willie met the love of his life, Dorothy Rister, when she caught him during a Sadie Hawkins Day race and they fell madly in love. He served our country in the Army and retired with the rank of Major after 41 years of service. He and Dorothy ran dances at the Armory in Tavares, Florida and could cut a mean rug. He worked for the State of Florida as a Revenuer and was then promoted to Investigator for the Secretary of State’s office. He enjoyed many years busting moonshine stills where he may also have enjoyed a sip or two of moonshine. He fathered three sons, Noel Travis, Maxwell Carlton, and Quentin Darrel who all preceded him in death; and one beautiful daughter, Emilee Elizabeth. As a family, they enjoyed fishing and frying up their freshly caught food for family feasts and fellowship around the table. He was a skilled carpenter and loved to whittle wood. His hands were never idle and he remained active until his death. After retirement, Willie and Dorothy traveled the US in their RV and enjoyed trips to Hawaii and Alaska. He spent the last few years driving back and forth from College Park to Winter Garden every day where he spent the mornings with Dorothy who has been living in an assisted living facility for those with Alzheimer’s Disease. His undying devotion to her was felt by everyone who met him and he was forever proud to call her his wife. She joined him at home where he waited patiently for her to arrive before taking his last breath with her at his side. Willie was preceded in death by his parents and all three of his sons. His living family is expansive and full of lovingly and spiritually adopted children. Please join his loved ones, Emilee Elizabeth (Rister) & William McMaster, Mary Sue Rister; grandchildren Kyle & Summer Len Davis (Northcutt) and Shelbi Karyn Northcutt; great grandchildren Savannah Grace Amura o and Styles Rister, Madilyn Blair, and Grady Moore Davis; and his loving and devoted spiritual families - the Joneses and Hall families for memorials to his life. A viewing will take place at Church on the Drive, 1914 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL 32804 on Thursday, November 19th from 6-8pm. The family would like to extend an invitation to take part in a memorial service at Church on the Drive, 1914 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL 32804 on Friday, November 20th at 10am. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Willie's name to the Wounded Warrior Project. http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate.aspx