Willie Clayton Satterfield

Willie was born April 3, 1934, in Drew, Mississippi, the son of the late Reverend Lemon Clayton and Willie Mae Satterfield. He was the second of ten children and the first son born to this union. As the oldest son, Willie became the beloved patriarch in the Satterfield family by his siblings and his children. Although he did not follow his father’s footsteps as a pastor, he inherited the wisdom and virtue of a godly leader.

Willie’s musical talent and his strong Christian faith were evident from a young age. He was baptized at the age of 12 in 1946 at Roundaway Missionary Baptist Church in Roundaway, Mississippi, and sang in the church choir. His love for singing extended to the high school choir and junior college. He attended Coahoma County Agriculture High School and Junior College, sang in the Glee Club and played the tuba in the Marching Band. He loved performing in parades and school performances for his mother and wanted to make her proud in everything that he did. She took great delight in her first son and called him “Sonny”. That is how he got the nickname “Son.”

Also, Willie had the unique gift of being able to hear music and learned to play the music that transpired in his head. He taught himself how to play the piano, guitar and the harmonica. He appreciated a wide range of music from fine classical to traditional gospel music. He loved listening to his grandsons play cello or piano, singing with his brothers and nephew, and of course singing with Gwendolyn. His face would light up when he heard his favorite songs, “Claire de Lune” by Debussy and “I Stood on the Banks of Jordan” by James Cleveland. In his early years, Willie did not take being a “Mississippi Boy” for granted. Hence, he was proud of being the President of the New Farmers of America (NFA). His love for geography and maps began early. One his fondest moments was a trip to Jasper, Alabama with his parents and two sisters at the age of 3. Subsequently, as an adult, he longed to explore the country and the world around him with his family. Consequently, he traveled to all 50 states and internationally. If you spent any time with Willie, you were bound to be quizzed on popular geographical locations and nostalgia.

In 1955, at the age of 21, Willie moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he met the love of his life – Lillian Sturghill. They were married on January 13, 1956 in Flint, Michigan and subsequently had four daughters. Willie was proud to say that he helped put four girls through college. All earned Masters and Doctor Degrees, and more importantly, all are Christians. Willie held various jobs in Chicago and Flint before he was hired as a bus driver for the Chicago Transit Authority in July 1956, where he worked for 38 years. When he retired in 1994, he was the longest tenured driver in the entire company. Willie worked six more years as a charter bus driver before retiring in 2001. Having such an amiable personality, he would share a broad range of stories and encounters while driving the bus on the streets of Chicago. He knew this city like the back of his hand.

In 1972, Willie joined St. Stephen’s African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Chicago where he poured his heart and soul into for many years. He sang in the Gospel and Male Choirs, was appointed to the Trustee Board, directed the Male Choir, served as Sunday School Teacher, member of the Steward and Senior Usher Board and organized the St. Stephen Drama Guild where he wrote and directed nine plays. His favorite play was “We Will Meet Again,” which he kept on VHS in his “man cave” so that he could play it for friends and visitors. As the neighborhood barber in Chicago, Willie realized the importance of male bonding, especially after being in the midst of five females daily. This propensity lead him to establish the CTA Retiree Group. While living in Texas, he would frequently have men fellowship gatherings of all ages at his home. Along with being active in several church and community groups, Willie received the Outstanding Senior Citizen Award from the District African Methodist Episcopal Church, Safety Drivers Award from the Chicago Transit Authority and the Unsung Hero Award from St. Stephen’s AME Church. After retiring, Willie and Lillian moved to Duncanville, Texas to be closer to his daughters and grandchildren and to enjoy his golden years. He became a member of Antioch Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church and looked forward to the sermons of Pastors Dr. Karry and Chris Wesley every Sunday. Some of his hobbies included swimming, planting and growing fruit trees in his backyard, always naming them after his family members. If he wasn’t keeping up with his beloved Chicago White Sox, Cubs, Bears, or Bulls, you could find him entertaining guests by singing and playing the piano, listening to the Dixie Hummingbirds, Soul Stirrers and Canton Spiritual Quartet. But you were always guaranteed to be invited to watch a good, ol’ black and white Western movie – probably “Shane”, which was his favorite. On the other hand, oh how he loved his “Pepsi Colas, cigarettes, juicy cheeseburgers and grilled cheese sandwiches, but a full country breakfast was always a way to “Daddy’s heart”. “This Man” embodied a warm and generous personality. If you were in his midst, you were never a stranger because of his genuine kindness and warmth. He was a treasure chest – a gifted singer, storyteller, writer, a skilled handyman, a strong leader, and a one-of-a-kind husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Willie came from humble beginnings, but through hard work and faith in God, he created a remarkable life for himself and his family. Willie lived life with no regrets and was ready for his eternal home when God called him.

Mr. Willie Clayton Satterfield ended his earthly journey on Thursday evening, January 07, 2021. At the age of 86, in the comfort of his home, in the arms of his loving family, and in the presence of the grace of God, he entered into eternity. Willie was welcomed in his eternal home of Glory by his beloved and cherished daughter, Gwendolyn Fay Satterfield-Barjon (Paul) of Red Oak, Texas; brother, Lennel James Satterfield (Carolyn - deceased); three sisters, Clydia Mae Satterfield James (Jesse-deceased); Catherine Satterfield Bounds (Troy Bounds –deceased); Reba Satterfield McDonald and Kent Caffey (uncle/brother).

Willie is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lillian Louise; four brothers, Raymond Satterfield (Dorothy) from Chicago, Illinois; Clifton Joseph Satterfield (Cynthia) from Chicago, Illinois; Lankford Sylvester Satterfield (Sandy-deceased) from Sacramento, California; and L.C. Satterfield, Jr. (Delia) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin; one sister, Rosie Lelar Davenport (Lee Langham and Max Davenport deceased) from Chicago, Illinois; three daughters, Sabrina Gay Satterfield of Duncanville, Texas; Althea Denise Satterfield White and Shirley Jean Perkins (Steven) of DeSoto, Texas; six grandchildren, Gillian Felecia Satterfield-Barjon (Brian) of Las Vegas, Nevada; Jean-Paul Clayton Barjon of North Hollywood, California; Nigel Sebastian White of Chicago, Illinois; Jacques Andre Barjon of Red Oak, Texas; Kalif Jordan Perkins of DeSoto, Texas; and Joshua Clayton Perkins of Asheville, North Carolina; two great granddaughters, Cadence Eleanor Harge and Ever Reign Klimovich-White and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.