After graduating from high school in 1972, he and a close friend, Ronnie McKinley, went to St. Paul, Minnesota where they enlisted in the Navy. Willie retired from the Navy after serving his country 24 years. He then began work as a security guard at the Hilton, which is now the Westgate Hotel and Casino.
Willie was preceded in death by his mother Agnest; brother James; and son Miguel.
He leaves to mourn his wife Mary; daughter Tia (Joseph); two sons James and Sakata (Biannka); two granddaughters Destiny and Alexis; grandson Zion; sister Mary Ellen (Robert); and a host of nieces and nephews, including Paxton (Delana) and their children, with whom he was very close.
Willie was a freehearted man, willing to help anyone in need. He loved watching old movies and westerns. Every year for his birthday and Christmas, he would have his daughter buy him a plane ticket to go back to Alabama. He loved seeing his old friends, classmates, and he kept in close contact with his old shipmates.
All will dearly miss him.