Willie James Coleman, was born in Chester, South Carolina to Mannie and Marie (Gray) Coleman, November 3, 1951. He was the 5th born (spiritually meaning GRACE) of 9 siblings. The other siblings born to this union were: Nancy, Henrietta, Dorothy, Richard, Betty, Kenneth , Jerry and Cheryl. Mannie (father), Richard and Betty preceeded his transistion. Willie moved from South Carolina to Michigan when he was around 3 years old. His formative years were spent between Wayne and Ypsilanti, Michigan. There he enjoyed the pleasures of life which helped to develop him with sound family ethics. Willie was an all-around "Sportsman" he treasured Basketball and played for Willow Run High School, where he graduated with the class of 1970. He married his wife of 35 years, SherJuana in 1978, to this union one daughter was born; Shavonne.
The JOY of Willie's life was to spend time at home with his family, fishing (which no one could out do him), and visting his mother, siblings, relatives and childhood friends. His grandson Christopher chose to follow in his footsteps when it came to sports and Willie strove to train him to become the man God wanted him to be. His grandaughter Destiny and grandson Jordan kept him busy playing games, reading and watching his favorite TV shows.
Willie’s journey here on earth was amazing! He worked from 1973 - 2006 for Ford Motor Company, Rawsonville Plant. His last position with “FoMoCo” afforded him the opportunity to also travel to Mexico. In addition, Willie traveled to many other areas in and out of the States. One of his fondest travels was to Washington, DC to view the Martin Luther King Monument and memorial.
His latter years were far greater than his former. Willie realized that God loved him and that Jesus works on the Cross was sufficient for his salvation. Willie repented for his sins and from that time forth confessed Jesus as his Lord and Savior. In 1998, Willie joined Leviticus Missionary Baptist Church and was ordained as a deacon in 2002. Willie knew that his confession would come with many trials and much suffering, in which he worked to endure until the end. He came to trust God by Faith for everything and spoke that as his testimony. At any given time when asked how he was doing he would be true to respond "It is what it is...God's will be done!"
Willie's time here on earth will leave many to treasure and cherish his memory, including relatives, physicians, and his "inner" circle of friends, those who not only ministered in Word but as a servant in deeds.