Ray "Sarge" Westmoreland

View Video Tribute View Funeral Webcast Mr. Earl Ray "Sarge" Westmoreland, 81, restaurant owner and resident of Pawnee Trail, died Thursday, April 2, 2015 at NHC Hillview. Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 3:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Carl May and Steve Robertson officiating. Burial will follow in Rock Springs Cemetery with military honors provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. and Monday from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Condolences may be offered online at www.oakesandnichols.com. The Maury County native was the son of the late Clifford Minor Westmoreland and Nellie Aileen Pilkinton Westmoreland and was a graduate of Central High School. He served twenty two and 1/2 years in the military, starting first in the Tennessee National Guard. He re-enlisted in the Navy during the Korean War and retired from the Air Force in 1972 after serving in Vietnam. He opened his first restaurant, Sarge's Shack, in 1973 and quickly developed his signature recipes for steak, dirty rice and fish. Sarge was a member of New Lasea Church of Christ. Survivors include his wife of sixty years, Virginia Raye Littlejohn Westmoreland of Columbia; daughters, Melissa "Lisa" (Larry) Petty of Columbia, Kim (C.L.) Sullivan of Culleoka; sisters-in-law, Katherine McCracken, Judy Westmoreland, Arliss Littlejohn; brother-in-law, Allen Littlejohn; daughter-in-law, Gwenda Westmoreland; brothers, Jack Minor (Mona) Westmoreland, Windell (Lona) Westmoreland both of Culleoka; grandchildren, Todd Cannady, Ryan Hines, Kara Cannady (Jason) James, Daniel Westmoreland; great-grandchildren, Dallas Cannady, Tyler Cannady, Lauren Cannady, Bryce Austin Cannady, Madison James, Haylee James; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Anthony "Tony" Westmoreland and brother, Paul Westmoreland, Sr. Grandsons and Great grandsons will serve as pallbearers, Todd Cannady, Ryan Hines, Daniel Westmoreland, Dallas Cannady, Tyler Cannady, John Smith and Jason James. Honorary pallbearers include Dr. Thomas Dake, Dr. Ben Gardner, Dr. Ruth Lamar, Dr. Corbin Johnson, Jack White, Jackie White, Johnny White, Wayne Cook, and Senior Master Sergeant Laurie Lee.