Willis James Coggin “Jimmie”, age 86, of Sanford, passed away on Monday, April 19, 2021 at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill surrounded by his family.

He was born in Lee County on August 4, 1934 to the late Wilbur James Coggin and Rilla Beatrice Gaines Coggin.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson Timothy Willett and two brothers Coy Wilbur Coggin and John William “Buster” Coggin. Jimmie graduated from Greenwood High School in 1952. He married “The love of his life”, Peggy Jane McLendon Coggin, on May 12, 1955.  He joined the US Army in February, 1955 and served until February, 1958 with 16 of those months in South Korea.  He served in the ASA (Army Security Agency) while enlisted.  After his military stint he went to work for the Post Office in March of 1958 where he began as a city carrier.  He became a Postmaster in Moncure in 1971 where he served until his retirement in 1988.  He was a member of Grace Chapel Church for approximately 72 years where he taught and served as superintendent for Sunday School, served on the deacon board, served as church treasurer and assisted with the AWANA program.  He began attending Cool Springs Baptist Church in April, 2018.  Due to the lack of mobility of his wife he was not able to attend many services, but he continued to be faithful in giving. Jimmie joined the Gideons International in 1983.  Over the years he distributed thousands of Bibles.  He traveled to New York City on many occasions to distribute Bibles at schools, universities, hospitals and on the city sidewalks.  Jimmie and Peggy began reading through the Bible in 1975.  He said that he never got tired of reading the Bible.  He treasured The Word of God.  This was very obvious in the life that he lived.  He considered himself blessed and highly favored.

Jimmie is survived by the love of his life Peggy; son Gregory J. Coggins and wife Tricia of Florida; daughters Ramona C. Willett and husband Gary of Sanford and Marsha C. Farrell and husband Joseph “Jay” of Brevard; brother Thomas Coggin of Sanford; sisters Jewell Stone of Sanford, Sylvia Adcock and husband, Albert of Sanford and Mollie Slate of Sanford; grandchildren Nicholas Farrell, Diana White, Andrew Farrell, Jeremy Willett, Stephen Willett, Kasey Maness, Cameron Coggins, Riley Escalle, Lydia Coggins and Grace Coggins; fourteen great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 22, 2021 at Cool Springs Baptist Church from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM.  The funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM with Rev. Matt Martin and Lee Logwood officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Gideons International, PO Box 1032, Sanford, NC 27331-1032.