Mr. Willie D. Bland

On Wednesday, January 15, 1936, a baby boy was born to Selia Williams and Willie D. Gibson in Taylor, TX. They named him Willie, and he was affectionately known as Wil D. He was the youngest of 3 children, brother to the late Leroy Bland and sister to the late Sallie Moore.

He attended public school and graduated from O.L. Price High School as class valedictorian of his 1954 class. He joined the United States Air Force in Fairfield, California, The Travis Air Force Base. He enjoyed traveling and servicing the aircrafts. While in the military, he met men from places all over. He enjoyed the Air Force. He spoke of how picking cotton wasn’t easy, mainly because of the heat; however, he never failed to say that being frostbitten while in the military was far worse.

In 1959 in Houston, TX, while visiting family, he met the late Addie Leonard.They married on October 1, 1960. To this union were born Karen, Michael, and Kevin. They settled in Houston, TX, in the Scenic Woods neighborhood. Willie worked at and retired from Sunbeam Bakery. After retirement, he picked up other jobs to keep busy. He enjoyed fishing, playing dominoes, and the Dodgers, and was a huge fan of Jackie Robinson.He joined The Greater Love Baptist Church in the mid-80s under the leadership of his family friend Rev. O. Dolphus. Upon the death of Rev. Dolphus, he and Addie joined Disciples of Faith Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. K. Ganther.Wil D was the oldest living member of his family, having outlived all 11 grandchildren. He was very healthy and spry,always watching his weight and yours. His health started to fail around 2023. He departed to his earthly home on June 4, 2025, ironically on a Wednesday.

He leaves to cherish his memories are his sons Barry Pruitt, Michael, and Kevin Bland; his daughter Karen Bland; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Kedrean, Tiffany, Sahara, Kendra, Cassidy, and Kedrean Jr.; nieces Chandra Bassand Antoinette Johnson; nephews Marcus, Danny, and Damion Leonard; sister-in-laws Helen Leonard and Kathy Leonard and many second and third cousins. He will be deeply missed.