Mr. Willie Thomas Wilson

Reflections “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:” Ecclesiastes 3:1 A Time to Be born ~Willie Thomas (Tommy) Wilson was born February 23, 1932, in Sumter County, Sumter, South Carolina to the late Theola Wilson Chatman and Marion Stewart, Sr. He was nurtured by his aunts and uncle, Bertha Wilson, Maggie Daniels Wilson & Ernest Baker Wilson. A Time to Grow ~ He was educated in the public schools of Sumter County. Tommy was reared in a loving Christian home, taught to love God, work hard, family unity and to serve others. He enlisted and served in the United States Army in 1952, a Korean War Veteran. For forty years, he was a loyal employee of Santee Print Works in Sumter until his retirement. Tommy was also a loyal member of Catchall Masonic Lodge #425, C.C. Johnson Consistory #136, 32nd degree and Cairo #125. A Time to Worship ~ Tommy accepted Christ as his personal Lord and Savior at an early age. He joined and was a dedicated member of the Mulberry Missionary Baptist Church where he served as church musician for forty-seven years. He worked diligently as Church finance secretary, treasurer of the Trustee Board, member of the Gospel, Inspirational, Senior Choirs and Male Chorus, Cemetery committee and Senior Citizens Ministry. For eight years, he served as the first musician for the Wateree Baptist Association. A Time to Love ~ He was united in Holy Matrimony to Geronia Bethune Wilson on May 6, 1961. To this union, four children were born; one son, John H. (Katherine) Ford, Sayreville, NJ; three daughters, Thomasina Wilson (Cary) Oxendine, Plainsboro, NJ, Veronica Wilson (Charles) Dukes, Sumter, SC; Wendy Wilson (Demetrius) Cooke, Belmont, NC. A Time to Die ~ God saw the need to give his servant rest and called him home late Sunday evening, May 17, 2015 in a gentle and peaceful manner. A Time to Mourn ~ Precious memories are gifts that will live in the hearts of a devoted wife and four wonderful children; six grandchildren, Charisse Pearson, Shisheda Ford (Louis) Claxton, Janear Ford (Christopher) Prosper, Jerred Thomas Wilson, Nicholas Geron Wilson (who was reared in the home), Demetria Yvette Cooke; six great grandchildren; three sisters, Eva Chatman (Romeo) McFadden, Alcolu, SC; Grace Chatman Buchanan, Albany, New York; Hattie (Katie) Chatman (Carlton) Felton, Portsmouth, Virginia; one brother, Marion (Deborah) Stewart, Jr., San Diego, California; one special sister-in-law (raised as a daughter), Marcia Bethune China, Sumter, SC; one brother-in-law, Sylvester (Mariah) Mack; tow adopted sisters, Nancye Griffin, Mary Bell (Robert) Tomlin, Sumter, SC; one adopted daughter, Brenda Brunson (Eddie) Pringle, Columbia, SC; one Godchild, Valerie Bradley (Ronnie) Burgess, Myrtle Beach, SC; one special cousin, Ruby Wilson Gary, Sumter, SC; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and his beloved Mulberry Church family. Tommy was preceded in death by two sisters, Estelle Chatman Jackson and Anne Lavern Stewart Harvin Rich; two very close friends, James Bradley Jr. and Harold Tomlin.

Mr. Willie Thomas Wilson

February 23, 1931 - May 17, 2015