Willie G. Stem, Jr, age 86, of Murfreesboro died Sunday, January 1, 2012. He was a native of Rutherford County and the son of the late Willie G. Stem, Sr. and Anna Bell Bowling Stem. Funeral service will be 1:00pm Wednesday at Franklin Road Baptist Church. Pastor Mike Norris will officiate. Burial will be in Whitworth Cemetery with Military Honors. He is survived by his wife Elsie Mai Gannon Stem, sons, Alan R. (Cathy) Stem of Lascassas, Randall (Kathy) Stem of Murfreesboro, daughters, Gayle S. (George) Emery of Beech Grove, Kaye Weed of Murfreesboro, 12 grandchildren, Jacqueline, Alan Jr, Amber, Jeffrey, Dustin, Lexy, Lari, Amanda, Rachele, Ericka, Daniel, and David, and 20 great grandchildren. Mr. Stem was a member of Franklin Road Baptist Church where he was a deacon for 42 years and taught Sunday school. He was a US Army paratrooper in the 507th parachute infantry division during the battle of the bulge in WWII where he received two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. He was owner of Willies Auto Sales and managed many body shops in Murfreesboro for 57 years. He was Chaplain of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Mr. Stem and his wife directed the Murfreesboro Veterans Day Program on the square for the last 15 years. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00pm Tuesday at Franklin Road Baptist Church. Woodfin Funeral Chapel. 615-893-5151. Online condolences may be made to www.woodfinchapel.com