WILLIE WALTER PRUITT (1924-2009)

A CONLEY OF UNPARALLELED DIGNITY

Willie Walter Pruitt Jr. is one of the most loyal and dutiful members in the 225-year history of the Family. He was a descendant of William ‘Bill’ Conley, one of the Original Conley Brothers who were sons of James and Jane Conley - managers of the Green Bottom Inn & Equestrian Sporting Center.

Willie Walter Pruitt Jr. believed in three things: Family, Community, and Country.

He was a dutiful brother, dedicated uncle, loyal cousin, and friend to so many. He was a pillar in the Madison County community, and a respected in the Meridianville Church established by his grandmother Josie Conley Wilburn and her brother, Willie Walter’s great uncle Paschal ‘Pony Conley on the former estate of their father William ‘Bill’ Conley.

Lastly, he was the Conley Family member with the longest service record in the Armed Forces of the United States, serving for an impressive 53 years in all.

ORIGINS OF WILLIE WALTER PRUITT JR. 1924-1944

Willie Walter Pruitt, Jr. was the son of Willie Walter Pruitt Sr. & Rachel Wilburn Pruitt.

Willie’s mother Rachel was the daughter of Josie Conley Wilburn, who was the beloved daughter of William ‘Bill’ & Rachel, who died giving birth to Josie. His wife’s tragic death caused William ‘Bill’ Conley to ask his elder sister and brother-in-law Green & Harriet Conley to raise Josie in their home.

Willie Walter Pruitt Jr. had a quiet country childhood spent mostly on his great-grandfather’s vast estate, shown above.

William ‘Bill’ & Rachel Conley, great-grandparents of Willie Walter Pruitt.

1944 - 1948 A LIFE AT SEA IN THE NAVY

The onset of World War 2 arrived just as Willie Walter wanted to explore the world beyond Alabama. At 19-years-old, he registered for the U.S. Navy on 11 Dec 1942, barely a week before his 20th birthday. That decision would change his life, and his family’s destiny forever.

Initially stationed in Italy from 1944-1946, after three years he was stationed in the Middle East, and served in Active Duty at ports in Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt.

Willie Walter returned to Huntsville a changed man. His world travels ignited something in him, and he carried the Conley banner to more places than any other family member before in him.

He married his childhood sweetheart Mattie Crutcher in November of 1946, and started to become a rising star in the family.

The image of Willie Water Pruitt on his Naval base on July 4, 1944, captures the essence of his patriotism.

1950-1960 THE AIR FORCE

As the Korean War loomed, and the Cold War escalated in Europe, Willie Walter heard the call to arms once more.

He re-enlisted with the U.S. Air Force.

From 1951 to 1966 the United States Air Force deployed thousands of personnel and hundreds of combat aircraft to France to counter the buildup of the Soviet Armed Forces in Eastern Europe. Initially stationed in Alaska 1952 - 1954, Willie Walter was transferred to England, U.K. in 1955, then sent to France for 1956 and 1957.

Willie Walter Pruitt Jr. provided mechanical support for the F-100D fighter-bombers of the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing at Chaumont-Semoutiers Air Base, 1957.

C-130A 56-0524 of the 40th Troop Carrier Squadron, Evreux-Fauville Air Base, 1958 provided USAFE Tactical Airlift capabilities

THE CONLEY MILITARY LEGACY CONTINUES

Overwhelmed and energized by all the cultures and countries he’d seen, Willie Walter kept his family top of mind. He used his newly found knowledge as a tool to encourage his brothers back home to enlist. Three (3) brothers would join Willie Walter in military service to America: Earl Pruitt - Air Force; Johnny - Army; Robert - Marines. All are shown below in their youth and senior years. The four Pruitt brothers formed one of the Conley Family’s most revered military legacies. All grandsons of Josie Conley Wilburn, they were Conley Forever, and Forever Conley.