FAYETTEVILLE - John H. Williford, 89, of Fayetteville, went home to be with the Lord and his beloved wife, Dot, on Tuesday, May 26, 2009. John H. was born in Eastover on Nov. 12, 1919, to the late Oscar and Ida Williford. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Jimmy, Vestal, Worth and Dickie; and his sisters, Madeline Draughon, Luella WIlliford and Sudie Belle Tart. John H. was known for his strong love for his family and his country. A staunch Republican who believed that Ronald Reagan, George Bush and George W. Bush were some of America's finest. He continued to be well informed and a vocal advocate of keeping America militarily strong. After all, he had served his country in World War II as a member of Patton's 3rd Army - 87th Division, 347th Infantry Regiment. He recalled to us having \\"crawled on his belly in 3 feet of snow\\" in various counterattacks to relieve surrounded 101st Airborne troops during the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge and three battle stars. He was truly part of America's \\"Greatest Generation.\\" He remained a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars. From his youth to his later years, John H. always fulfilled his role as a family patriarch with pride. He cared for his mother, his siblings, his wife of 68 years, his five daughters and grandchildren at different times and ways, but always with dedication. He was a caregiver that took this responsibility to heart. Our daddy loved us and taught us to complete any task to the best of our ability. \\"If it was worth doing, it was worth doing right.\\" That was clearly evident in his professional life as well as his personal. He worked for Mello Buttercup Ice Cream Co. for 38 years as a salesman and later a branch manager. People in Fayetteville knew the \\"Buttercup\\" man. He instilled upon all five of us to be dedicated to our professions and honest in all our endeavors. After retirement, he quickly turned his attention to his wife and his yard. He was and continued to be \\"particular\\" in everything. His yard always looked \\"freshly\\" mowed. Not a leaf to be found or mowed row, not straight. His house, yard, car and person were always immaculate. John H. was a lifetime member of Calvary Assembly of God Church and a York Rite Mason. John H. will always be remembered as a good man who always gave 110 percent of himself. We are heart broken, but we know that he is with the Lord and our mom. He is survived by his sister, Muriel Yarborough; his five daughters, Janice Knight and her husband, Donnie, Terry Tanner and her husband, Jim, Renee Stewart and her husband, Craig, Kaye Dee and Kim Gordy; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 tonight, May 28, 2009, at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 29, 2009, at Calvary Assembly with Pastor Mark Knight and Dr. Gardner H. Altman officiating. Burial will follow in Lafayette Memorial Park with Masonic and military rites. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Calvary Assembly Church of God, 2512 Fort Bragg Road, Fayetteville, NC 28303.