Mr. Willie Mack Hooks Sr.

Willie Mack Hooks was born on March 1, 1925 in Columbus, Mississippi, the oldest of three sons born to Della and Felix Hooks. Although his parents named him Willie, he was called "Doss" by his parents, his brothers and his Aunt Essie, who helped raise him. He was called "Hooks" or "Uncle Hooks" by some family and friends; "Uncle Doss" by others and he was lovingly known as "Daddy" and "Granddad" to his children and grandchildren. Willie spent his childhood in Mississippi and Alabama and enjoyed the camaraderie that came with having two brothers. They would go up in the woods near their house to play. There were big trees up there with long, strong vines and they would swing out over the ravines to avoid snakes, while pretending that they were swinging through the jungle like Tarzan. Their mom would complain, saying they had run the snakes out of the woods and down to the house ... ! Willie joined the United States Navy in February of 1944 and was a Stewards Mate, First Class. He was state side for much of his term because he caught meningitis and was hospitalized at Great Lakes Naval Hospital for many months. After being honorably discharged in March of 1946, he returned to Alabama. He became interested in mortuary science and attended the AG Gaston Mortuary School in Birmingham. After the training was completed he went to work at the Gaston Funeral Home in Jasper, Alabama. However, he soon realized that this line of work was not for him and found work as a carpenter's helper. Life was going along fairly well, until one night when Willie was harassed by the police. They accused of him of being tipsy and threw him in the clink. He was released after paying a fine and decided that he didn't want to risk being caught up like that again, so he set out for Chicago and he eventually made his way to Milwaukee. Shortly after arriving in Milwaukee, he joined St. Matthew CME Church and he later attended Gospel Lutheran Church. Willie was a man of faith and was mindful of the Savior's presence in his life. Willie was united in holy matrimony to Dorothy Nez Burt in 1949 and their union was blessed with three beautiful children, Willie Jr., Yvonne and Jerome. After a divorce in 1960, he married Sina Bonds, who remained by his side until she was called to her final rest in 2008. Willie lived an active life and was employed by AO Smith, from which he retired after 36 years of service. He was a longtime member of the Unique Social Club and participated in many civic, community and social events over the years. Family and friends always looked forward to the tradition of attending the annual picnic and New Years Eve party hosted by the club. He enjoyed fishing and bowling. In fact, he was an excellent bowler and participated in bowling tournaments and traveled across the country on the bowling circuit. He was a member of the American Bowling Congress (ABC) and was the first bowler from his league to be honored with a 2S-year plaque in 1997. Willie closed the door on his earthly life and passed into eternal glory on January 12, 2016. He was preceded in death by his parents, Della and Felix Hooks; his wife, Sinai step-daughter, Mary; brothers, Nathaniel, Stjohn, Alan, Willie F., Maurice, and Marshall Hooks; sister, Elizabeth Hooks Sanders; and nieces, Martha Hooks and Arniece Zweber. His memory will be cherished by Dorothy Hooks and children, Yvonne, Jerome and Willie Hooks, [r., grandchildren, Sabrina and Lakeisha Hooks, Cleavon (Connie) Williams, Jerome Dancer, Michael Chainey, Natasha, Tamara and Brandon Johnson, Quinisha Bonds, Jabrontae and Jabrayia Teague, and Gina Anderson; great-grandchildren, Dontelle Carr, [r., Emmanuel, Elijah and Egypt Hooks, Justin and Allen Anderson and Sky Morris; great-great-grandson, Airran [efferson-Carr. In addition, his presence will be deeply missed by his sisters, Callie (Tom) Durrah, Annie (Hank Campbell) Davis and Betty Ramsey; sister- in-law, Emma Hooks; special nieces, Delores Parr, Nadean and Gwen Hooks and Felicia Davis; and special nephews, Jack, Terry, Tyron and Marcus Hooks, Sr. Doss is further survived by a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.

Mr. Willie Mack Hooks Sr.

March 1, 1925 - January 12, 2016