Willie Paul ‘Squat’ Yarbrough

(GAINESVILLE, Fla.) Willie Paul “Squat” Yarbrough, 100, of Gainesville, Fla., passed away peacefully on Sept. 27, 2023. Born in Roanoke, Paul worked as a weaver and twister frame operator at Handley Mills. He served in the US Army during WWII, taking part in the Normandy invasion and other notable actions. He returned to Roanoke after the war where he met and married Ethel Smith, who worked at the mill with his sisters. He moved to Florida along with family after retirement.

Preceded in death by his parents, sisters and wife, he is survived by his son, Tommy Yarbrough of Gainesville, Fla., three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and several generations of nieces and nephews who grew up in the local area.

A visitation with family and viewing will be held Saturday, Oct. 7, from 6:30-8 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Home in Roanoke. A graveside service will follow at Cedarwood cemetery on Sunday, Oct. 8, at 1 p.m. Full details at www.quattlebaumfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Paul’s memory to one of the veterans support organizations listed on the funeral home obituary page.

Quattlebaum Funeral Home, Roanoke.