Mr. Willie Lee Williams Jr.

Willie Lee Williams Jr.., known to many as Williams, was born on April 14, 1946, in Friars point, Mississippi. He was the second child born to Willie Bell and Willie Lee Williams Sr. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Memphis, Tennessee where Williams spent his childhood and several decades as an adult. Williams proudly claimed Memphis as his hometown. Williams was only seven years old when his father passed away after a brief illness. Subsequently, his mother remarried, and Williams became the eldest son of eleven siblings. Known to his family as "Brother". he took his role seriously, and through the year became a beloved sibling, uncle, brother-in-law, father, and grandparent. Growing up on the north side of Memphis, TN, Williams attended public schools and entered the workforce at a relatively young age. In August of 1965, he joined the United States Army, completed training at the Airborne School, and served our country with distinction in the 82nd and 101 st Airborne. While in he army serving in Vietnam, Williams earned the National Defense Service Medal, Expert Badge (Rifle M-14), Vietnamese Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, two Overseas Service Bars. Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star, and Parachutist Badge. He was most proud of earning he Bronze Star Medal with a ''V'' device, which was accompanied by a citation that states in part: "His heroic actions caused the complete breakup of an undetermined size enemy force and the probable saving of many of his comrades' lives. Specialist Williams' devotion to duty and personal courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. After receiving an honorable discharge from active duty during July 1968, Williams found that the meatpacking industry represented the best opportunities for employment. Williams recalled that when the president of Morrell Meatpacking learned about his military service, he offered Williams a job on the spot, Williams met and married Verrita Jean Lester of Memphis, TN in 1964. They had two wonderful children, Tino and Tonia. Tonia Cope still resides in Memphis and proudly serves as a member of the Memphis Police Department. Tino. who preceded his father in death in 2016, played football in high school and college and became a truck driver. After his marriage to Jean ended, Williams met and married Lula Armstrong of Memphis, TN. They had one beautiful daughter, Rosalynne Tiffani Williams, who is a professional make-up artist and cosmetologist residing in Los Angeles, CA. This marriage also ended, and Williams relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, joining his mother and other siblings who had migrated there earlier. He continued working in the meatpacking industry in Milwaukee at Patrick Cudahy, where he was recognized or his talents, both working on the line and managing other employees. He became a supervisory candidate before he left the industry for good as a veteran permanently disabled by his Vietnam experiences and exposure to Agent Orange. In 1988, Williams was invited by his sister, Jea to a sorority cotillion where he met his lasting love, Phoebe Weaver Williams. Although they did not know each other previously, Williams and Phoebe both grew up in Memphis. They quickly became companions to each other and married in 1989. The couple shared 35 years of family, friendship, love, fishing trips, and a large community of friends both in Milwaukee and in the Memphis area. Although he was quiet, Williams was charming and a great cook. He was also a devoted friend and would help you in a heartbeat, especially if you had a car problem. He was always checking in on you and ready to spend time in your backyard or his. Williams knew everybody, and everybody knew Williams. When he left, he would remind you to "Be sweet!" and that he wanted to see you well. He will' be missed dearly. Williams believed in God and professed his faith in Jesus as his Savior. He prayed, studied the Bible, and encouraged others to do likewise. He frequently stated he was grateful for the many blessings God granted him. Willie Lee Williams Jr. departed this life on February 5,2025. He leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Phoebe; children, Tonia Cope and Rosalynne Tiffani Williams; sisters, Louise Hall, Clarice Moore, Rosalind Hawkins (Ponney]. Gloria Dennis, Jea Delsarte, Doris Roberson, Juanita Dockins, and Letisha Dockins; brothers, Robert Dockins, Patrick Dockins, and Correy Dockins; as well as his stepchildren, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends.

Mr. Willie Lee Williams Jr.

April 14, 1946 - February 5, 2025