Willis Frierson Armstrong, Jr, “Shine”

Willis Frierson Armstrong, Jr, “Shine,” born May 27, 1939, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2026. Shine was larger than life and made an impact on many lives along the way. He was known for his kindness, generosity, sense of humor, quick mind, and ability to listen. He encouraged those in his path to live their best lives. 

Shine loved growing up on his family’s farm. He especially enjoyed his relationship with one of the tenant farmers, Gloss, who couldn’t read or write but who taught Shine a plethora of important things, like driving trucks and working the land. A voracious reader during most of the year, he spent his summers as a water safety director and lifeguard. “I got a license from the Red Cross and taught 135 kids how to swim.” Shine graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in mechanical engineering, but the draft board came calling. He tried to sign up with the Coast Guard Reserve in Louisville, Ky., but learned there was an 8–year waiting list, so he joined an Army Reserve unit in Nashville and was sent to Fort Jackson. President JFK ordered his unit to active duty in Fort Rucker, Ala., and Shine didn’t mind that it was a scant hundred miles from Auburn University. “That’s where the good–looking girls were.” 

After the Army, Shine got his first job as a salesman for the U.S. Pipe and Foundry in Birmingham, Ala., where he met his wife, Amy Dawson. The couple married six months later and went on to start a family. They ended up in Winter Park, Fla. 

Shine was a wonderful father and always available to play ball, help with school projects or take the children canoeing or exploring. He was the kind of dad who was involved and much loved by all of the children’s friends. All three of his children adored him – always. 

Shine ended up returning to his hometown and divorcing. He later met Shirley Clark, and she encouraged him to help with her restaurant. The two bought a building on the town square in Lawrenceburg, TN, where Shirley ran the restaurant, and Shine helped on the weekends. After Shirley’s death and Shine’s retirement, he ran the restaurant alongside his beloved cook, Trina Short. 

Shine took a two–month break to care for his terminally ill son, Willis, who died in 2013. His other son, Alex, and his wife, Linda, later moved to Lawrenceburg and became helpers at Square Forty, where the restaurant remains in Trina’s magical hands. 

Shine had seven grandchildren and two great–grandchildren, and he always took great interest in hearing about their endeavors and accomplishments. He was an advanced bridge player and enjoyed playing in club games, social bridge in Lawrenceburg with treasured friends, and in several tournaments with his daughter, Liz. He was an exceptional trivia master and enjoyed his night out with his trivia team, especially excelling in presidential trivia. 

Shine had lifelong friends and kept in touch with all four of his college roommates until some of them passed away. He also spoke regularly with an Army buddy and friends from throughout his lifetime. 

Shine was widely known in his community and a trusted advisor to many. No one knows for sure where his moniker came from, but Shine liked to say, “I’m a man of mystery.” 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willis Frierson, Sr. and Annie Barton Armstrong; son, Willis Armstrong II; companion, Shirley Clark; two brothers, Mac and Edward Armstrong; one sister, Mary Houston; sister–in–law, Beth Armstrong; and one grandchild, Annie Armstrong. 

He is survived by one daughter, Elizabeth Armstrong Sims (Tom) of Winter Park, FL; one son, Alex Armstrong (Linda) of Lawrenceburg, TN; one sister, Adeline Pasour of Raleigh, NC; one daughter–in–law, Lesley Armstrong; six grandchildren, Morgan Armstrong, Keegan Armstrong, Will Sims, Thomas Sims, Alex Armstrong, and T.J. Wells; and two great–grandchildren. 

Arrangements are being handled by Neal Funeral Home, 231 N. Military Avenue, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. The family will receive friends from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Neal Funeral Home. A memorial service will be conducted at Neal Funeral Home at 3:00 PM Saturday, May 9, 2026, with Jeff Vanlandingham officiating. In lieu of flowers, Shine would want his family and friends to do acts of kindness for others. Condolences may be sent by way of our website at www.nealfuneralhome.net.