ForeverMissed
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Service will be held Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at W.E. Lusain Funeral Home and Crematory (2060 Germantown Street/Dayton, OH 45417). Visitation at 12:00pm and service to follow at 12:30pm. Interment at Woodland Cemetery and Masks are required for service.

My name is Bashir Ahmad. I was born Walter Allan Middleton on January 9, 1927 to Lucille Gilmore and William W. Middleton in Versailles, (Ver-sailz) Kentucky.  I spent much of my childhood With my mother’s parents, Robert Gilmore and Margaret Beatty. My aunts and uncles, Robert, Jr., Frances, Hattiebelle, Annabelle, Blossom, and Isaac were like my siblings.

Everyone in my family worked hard. My first job was cleaning horse track restrooms. I was raised during America’s Great Depression; my grandfather and uncles hunted, fished, and grew produce. We were industrious.

As a young man, I married Dorothy Dukes; we had two amazing children, Sharon and Walter, Jr. (Ada). Walt served honorably in the Air Force and as a paramedic. Sharon became a phenomenal law enforcement administrator. She also directed the Dakota Center in Dayton. Sharon has been one of my primary caregivers; she was my ROCK.

I next married Khadijah Shafeek and converted to Islam, becoming an Ahmadiyya Muslim.  Khadijah and I had five children. My oldest, Abdul Karim, passed away in 2001. He served in the Air Force. The twins, Abdul Rahman (Linda deceased) and Abdul Rahim (Hazel) served our nation in the Air Force and Marines. Raheem was a sheriff’s deputy and Roman is a chief in the California fire service. I stood next to my daughter, Honorable Maryam Ahmad, when she was sworn in as a judge in Cook County, Illinois. My youngest daughter, Anisa Longe (Craig), has been a force and pillar for me too. Anisa served our nation honorably in the Army and is a 20-year IT Project Manager. Craig helped me so much with my home repairs.  He was selfless and is truly my son too!

I was one of the first African-American members of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades as a Glaizer in Dayton, Ohio. I worked for Aluminum Materials for years. Nevertheless, I still found time to fish Lake Erie for Walleye and to garden.

I adore my grandchildren, Jeffrey and Prince Barrett; Ebony, Watenda’ Uriel and Alicia Middleton Hall (deceased); Sonia and Angela Maldonado, Abdul Rahim Ahmad, Jr., Trinity Goode, Brittany Nash, and Samia Longe.  Jeffrey, Brittany, and Samia took me to my medical appointments and assisted in my care. They were remarkable!

I have many great grandchildren and special friends. While I enjoyed this world for 95 years, I am now ready for the next. Assalamo-Alaikum and farewell!

Professional arrangements entrusted to W.E. Lusain Funeral Home and Crematory.

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