Willie B. Graham

Protector. Family Man. War Hero. Business Man. Friend. Family Man. Father. Husband.

No one word can aptly describe who Willie Bloom Graham was. But suffice it to say, his was a life remarkably well lived, and his passing will be felt by many who loved him. It is said that life is about the dash; that space between when you’re born and when you return to Our Heavenly Father … Willie made his dash count.

Born to Deacon Wilbert and Mrs. Flossie Mae Bloom Graham on April 16, 1949 in Loris, South Carolina, Willie Bloom the fourth of six children born to this dynamic couple who knew well the fear of the Lord, the importance of hard work, and a fierce dedication to family. These virtues played an important role in how Willie would live his life for the next 72 years. He was baptized at an early age at Mt. Calvary #2 Missionary Baptist Church in Brooksville, South Carolina. Part of an extremely large tobacco farming family and the grandson and namesake of its extremely well-known owner, Willie Bloom Graham would remain in South Carolina until the racism of the time led his parents to join the Great Migration to the North where they settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1955.

Willie navigated life in Philadelphia until he was 13. It was then that his grandfather’s health declined and the decision was made that he would return to South Carolina to help his grandparents. He continued his education in the Horry County Public School System, eventually attending Chestnut High School - now known as North Myrtle Beach High School - and graduating in the Class of 1968.

Willie enlisted in the United States Army following graduation as a member of Company B of the 548th Engineering Brigade. He was deployed to serve in Play Ku, Vietnam in the central highlands region as a military policeman. He was assigned as a bodyguard for the General Creighton William Abrams, III, United States commander of military operations in Viet Nam. During a force attempt, Willie saved his platoon from an attack by the Viet Cong, resulting in his being awarded several Medals of Honor and the Purple Heart.

After being Honorably Discharged from his military service, Willie joined the workforce including his time as an Investigator with Pinkerton Detective Agency and pursuing and receiving his cosmetology license. He would later enjoy a 30-year career with the United States Postal Service before retiring in 2004. Even in retirement, he remained extremely active, serving as a school bus driver for the Pike Township School District and launching Graham’s Janitorial Service.

But it wasn’t all work and no fun for Willie. He was an amazing dancer and an avid traveler who never met a road trip he didn’t love. He was music lover with an extensive collection of classics and contemporary hits. He was also a huge sports fan who loved to cheer for his Indianapolis Colts.

Carrying on a legacy established by his father and uncles, Willie was a lover of quality, clean automobiles; a firm believer in the importance of being a well-dressed man; and a dedicated servant leader in his church. He served faithfully on the usher board at Living Water Fellowship Church until his health declined. Standing faithfully by his side through sickness, in health, and until his passing was his devoted wife of 35 years, the former Dawn Yevette Barnett; never failing and ever so humble.

Despite all of his accomplishments, accolades, and honors, the most important thing in Willie’s life was his family. In much the same way as he defended his platoon from attack, he was known as a fierce defender of those he held dear. Many of his family members were waiting to greet him when he went from labor to renew peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours of March 24, 2022. Those include his mother and father; his eldest sister, Lee Ethel Carter; his eldest brother, Rev. Dansville Graham; and his beloved cousin Nancy B. Squires.

Willie’s life and legacy will forever be treasured by those who loved him dearly, including his wife Dawn; his children Ann Marie (Darryl) Brewer, Tina Marie Rutherford, Sherrie Marie (Steven) Cooper, Joy Muse, and Troy Louis Bloom Graham; his brothers Wilbur Graham, Jr. and Minister John Larry (Marcia) Graham and sister Sheryl Daffin; grandchildren (Jasmine, Sarah, Cassandra, Courtney, Chris, Jamie, Nicholas, Manny, Joshua, Andrew, Jaelyn, Daelyn, Amaya, Chroy, Ayden, Tyren, London, Journee); great-grandchildren (Nalani, Nova, Ada, Nyla, Nick Jr., Jace, Dorian, Jocelyn); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends and colleagues.