Deacon Willie Joe Young

Deacon Willie Joe Young was born on April 11, 1945, to the late Jake Young Sr. and Roselee (Russell) Young of Alexander City, Alabama. Within this union eight children were born, and Willie being the seventh child. His siblings are Jake Jr., Lula Mae, Sadie Mae, Sanktore (Carolyn), Earlie B. (Bernice), Charles (Emma), and Roosevelt (Evelyn). Being from a big family his parents proceeded him in death as well as three of his siblings and their spouses: Jake Sr. (Susie Lee), Sadie Mae (James Meadows), and Lula Mae (James Jackson).

The smallest student in his class, Willie graduated from Laurel High School in Alexander City, Alabama in 1963. During high school he worked as a lunchroom aide just to earn money so he could buy his own lunch and be able to buy his own clothes. An admired high scholar and a diligent worker, was recognized as the "neatest student on the job." It is because he was good at what he liked and left a good impression with his supervisors. After high school, he worked at Russell Mill for a brief period. Going onward and upward, he decided to move to New York to pursue new job opportunities, but things had changed. Moving towards the stars, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, and not too long afterwards Willie was discharged because of family matters. Then he came to the decision to move to Detroit, Michigan. Having gained a stock position at Crowley's Department Store in downtown Detroit, there he met his forever lady LaVerne Maddox. When he resigned from Crowley's he took a test for Ford Motor Company, passed with excellence, got hired and maintained a line supervisor position until he retired after 31 years of service. Dating LaVerne for some time, they were united in holy matrimony on August 5, 1967. To this union, five children were born. One boy and four girls: Phillip, Sylvia, Kristal, Noel, and Stephanie.

Willie accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior in 1966 at Second Baptist Church under the leadership of his future father-in-law, John Otis Preston Maddox, future mother-in-law and first lady Altrue "lady" Maddox. As a member of Second Baptist, he sang in the church choir and was trained as a deacon and has kept that position for 40+ years, carrying his deaconship to Union Second Baptist Church, until he took ill. Being a jack of all trades, Willie wanted to go higher in his education. He attended Wayne County Community College taking general education classes. Having a love and passion for taking pictures, he earned a certificate of photography from Breithaupt Career and Technical Center. Years down the road, he received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Davenport University.

Before and during his years of retirement, Willie loved to travel by taking trips to Alabama with his family to visit family and trips just because. He also had wonderful times keeping himself busy by going to the gym at the Ford plant for retirees and staying active with church activities.

Willie departed his life at his home to be with the Heavenly Father on June 24, 2022 at the age of 77. He leaves a legacy of love and laughter to his wife LaVerne of 55 years. His children, Phillip (Pam), Sylvia Martin, Kristal Young, Noel (Michael) Gibbons Sr. and Stephanie Young. Adoring grandchildren, Jazmine, and Shawna, whom he raised. Rashard Young- Denny, Prezton Young, Jayla Martin, Anthony Martin, Trevon Files, Mica, Mark, and Mike Gibbons and a host of cousins, nephews, nieces, in-laws, and friends.