Willard “Dub” Clarence Ainsworth

Willard Clarence Ainsworth, known as “Dub” to family and friends, passed peacefully on Jan. 28, 2023, in Malakoff, Texas, after a brief illness. He was born June 22, 1931, in Boswell, Okla., to parents C.S. and Fern (Whisenhunt) Ainsworth. In his last few weeks of life, he began to talk about Jesus and stated that his hope was that he would go to Heaven, and it is the belief and faith of his family that we will see him there. He was loved by all who knew him and will be missed.

At age 18, Dub joined the U.S. Army and served his country for six years. He received an Army Occupation medal for service in Japan and Germany, a Good Conduct medal, and attained the rank of Corporal.

Dub met his wife Lola on a blind date, and they were married on Sept. 22, 1967.

Throughout their 55 years of marriage, Dub and Lola lived and owned businesses in Oklahoma, Texas, and Alabama. They also lived in Mena, Ark., before settling in Mabank, Texas, in 2009.

Dub loved to spend time outdoors, particularly in the woods hunting coon, and would take his stepsons along, which they enjoyed.

Dub loved to build things and was certain he could fix anything that was broken. That was not always the case, but it was not for his lack of persistence. He also enjoyed gardening, or just sitting for hours on the ground pulling weeds from the yard; he did not lack patience with such things. Dub enjoyed his fried foods, cereal, ice cream, black-eyed peas, cornbread, gravy, and anything sweet. He loved country music and animals of all kinds. In earlier years, he had many different types of birds, chickens, ducks, pheasants and pigeons. Later in his life he was known to feed the stray cats and even the wild coons, which he regretted previously hunting, that visited his yard.

Dub was preceded in death by his parents, C.S. and Fern Ainsworth; brothers: Jerry Ainsworth, Jimmy Ainsworth and Billy Ainsworth; sisters: Marie Kendricks, Wanda Widdifield and Ruth Nell Ainsworth.

Dub is survived by his wife, Lola Vernell Ainsworth; brother, Ronald Ainsworth of Hugo, Okla.; stepsons: Michael McLaughlin of Alabama, Jeffery McLaughlin of Rowlett, Texas, Phillip McLaughlin of Mabank, Texas; stepdaughter, Carol Kirby of Mabank, as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends.

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