James Willie Heffner

James Willie Heffner affectionately known to his family as "JW" was born to the late Willie Heffner and Wilhelmina Cain on October 5, 1948 in West, Mississippi.

James graduated from Durant High School in Durant, Mississippi. JW came to Indiana in the mid 1960’s. He worked at Pullman and Jaymar Ruby.

James was a Godly man of Christ, he gave so much love. He was an out-going man, and a man with a way with HIS words.

On August 10, 1968 in Michigan City, Indiana he married the love of his life, Josephine Ellis and to this union six children were born.

They later relocated to Chicago, Illinois. JW was a hardworking man for Standard Oil and he retired from A&R Janitorial Service in 2013.

James Willie “JW” Heffner age 72 departed this life on June 27, 2021 at Warren Barr. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Josephine Heffner on March 31, 2015; one daughter Wilhelmina Heffner; one brother, Billy Heffner and one sister, Antoinette Heffner.  

James was a loving father to his surviving children, Felicia “Lisa” Heffner, Carletus E. (Latressa) Heffner, Laveta “Nikki” Bell, Antonio “Tony” (Vinisha) Heffner and Josue Heffner;  devoted brother to his siblings, Sheletha Harvey, Bill Heffner, James Paul Heffner, James Earl Heffner, Carol Timmons, John (Serena) Harmon, Joyce Johnson, Gene White, Rachel White, Timothy (Burnetta) White, Barton “Bus” (Faye) White, Lazarus (Zenna) White, Sarah Moore and Ruth White; the doting grandfather of twenty grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; two special cousins that were raised as brothers, Sheldon Cain and Paul E. Cain and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Willie Heffner, please visit our floral store.