Willie James Sutton

Born March 23, 1941 in Georgetown, Georgia, Willie was the only son and the last child of six children from the late John and Pinkie Sutton. Willie was predeceased by five sisters including Rose "Bea"(Jessie Kelch), Eugene "Jean" (Robert McKinney),Johnnie Mae (Jessie Anderson), Annie Mae (Roy Casey),and Emma Lee (Robert Scott). At a young age, Willie moved with his family to Youngstown, Ohio, where they became part of a close-knit church community with the Antioch Baptist Church, where he served as a Church Porter. He departed this life peacefully on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at Larkin Chase Center in Bowie, MD.

Willie obtained his education from the Youngstown, Ohio School System and graduated from East High School where he received his high school diploma. While in high school, he was recognized as an outstanding athlete, and received numerous awards, in the areas of baseball, basketball, and tennis. Although he was offered a baseball scholarship to attend college, he chose to enlist in the United States Air Force.

During his 20-year tenure in the Military, he received numerous commendations including the Air Force Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, NCO Professional Military Education Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with four Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Service Long Tour Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster.

As his Masonic Bible indicated, he was initiated, passed, and raised in 1966,178 ODD Fellows Lodge, Rome New York.

After an Honorable Discharge from the United States Air Force in 1982, and as a Substance Abuse Counselor in the Air Force, he continued as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor for the States of Maryland and Virginia, for 17 years.

He will be remembered lovingly by his four daughters: Lillian Elaine Sutton-Mbionwu, Karla Sutton-Mckinney(Mark), Karen Sutton, and Jaime Sutton; four grandchildren: Kevin Pugh (Tomia), Christopher McKinney (Lana), Anthony McKinney (Veronica), Chima Mbinowu and four great-grandchildren: Madison and Aubrey Pugh, Selah McKinney, and Lillian McKinney. Willie cherished the bonds of his close friends Craig Rice and Jerry Sutton (deceased) and the many lifetime friendships from his group ‘The Dawgpound’.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.fort-lincoln.com for the Sutton family.