Willie B. Underwood

October 26, 1931 – April 09, 2017

On Palm Sunday, Willie entered paradise with family member around his bed.

He is survived by his first wife Vera Bittner – mother of his eight children. Willie Jerome (Gerdi), Darlene Davis (Sammy), Juanita Smith (Benjamin), Rachel Stewart (Joseph), Arlene Hewitt (Michael Deceased) Carmel Barnes (Richard), David Leroy (Donna), Bradley (Tisa).

Second wife Shirley brought two children to the marriage. Jeffery Coty (deceased) (Toni) and Shelly Montana (David)

45 grandchildren, 51 greats, many nephews and nieces, sister and brother in laws, make up his wonderful family.

Willie was born in New Gulf, Texas to Maggie Johnson and Willie Underwood Sr. He was raised by 2 sets of loving grandparents Jake and Alberta Underwood, Loiuse (Shug) and Horace Johnson. Uncle James & Vada, Uncle T.J. & Gloria, Aunt Annie and Clarence, Kemp & Uncle Roosevelt.

He was baptized in the Brazos River at the early age of 7 or 8. He was raised up in the Little Bethlehem Baptist church in New Gulf, where he learned to love our Lord Jesus Christ.

He lived on a farm where grandfather Underwood was a shore cropper. He was taught right living by them all and never saw the inside of a jail house.

He was brought to Needles at the age of 16 by his mother and step-father. His first job was on Santa Fe RR – feeding and watering live stock in the middle of the night. This was the first of some 57 jobs over his lifetime. When his children we in Jr. High and HS he had his own janitorial business – licenced plus bonded which covered much of So. Cal. Prior to his own business he managed gas stations, many times in early days he kept two to support his family.

He was a loving, quiet, steady man who was always willing to help any way he could.

He and family enjoyed many trips back to Texas and many parts of the USA over the years. In later years they took several RV trips to friends and family. He was a good mechanic, handy man and gardener in later years. He built the Lucerne Valley “Plantation” from vacant land. Many Happy Birthday celebrations were held there. Entertained grandkids on school holidays and summer vacation. We have been reliving those years with much laughter and happy tears.

Grandpa, you are so loved and we miss your presence dearly. God speed, rest in peace – we know you are with our Lord.

We wish to thank Our Pastor James Harris of Ascension Luther Church for his many visits, loving concern, and bringing communion to us, our friends and family for prayer, concerns, and kindness.

We wish to thank Gentiva Hospice, Dr. Mamo, Chaplain, social worker, nurse Claudia who was in our hospital room within the hour when he made the decision to accept hospice, nurses Sharice, Shawna, Angela, Cesar, Jenny, and Heather who assisted us so lovingly in his final hour.

Memorial Service will be held at Ascension Lutheran Church, 22130 Ottowa Rd. Apple Valley, CA May 06, 2017 11:00AM with Pastor Harris presiding.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Ascension Lutheran Church with our thanks.