Willie Lee Richardson, Sr. was born on April 23, 1916 in Clarksdale, Mississippi to the union of the late Lawyer and Savannah (Arrington) Richardson. He was the sixth of eleven children: L.E., Marie, Mack, Jesse, William, Lawyer Jr., Rosie Lee, Bert, Robert and Allen. At this time, Rosie Lee is the only surviving sibling.
Seeking fertile farmland, Willie's family moved to Charleston, Missouri in 1923 when he was eight years old. There he remained until 1934. It was in Mississippi and Missouri where he received his education excelling in spelling, history and reading. As a young man he worked on his father's farm and enjoyed playing baseball every Saturday and fishing.
Willie accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at the age of fifteen at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Charleston, Missouri and enjoyed singing in the Choir. His favorite song was "Smile Your Troubles Away." He rededicated his life to Christ in 1986 and was baptized at Bethesda Missionary Temple where he also received a Graduate Certificate of Completion for Catechism 1.
In 1934, at the age of eighteen, Willie migrated to Detroit, Michigan to seek employment and to join his other siblings Marie, and Jesse who had preceded him here. In 1936, Willie began working for Briggs Manufacturing Company that later became a division of the Chrysler Corporation in Highland Park, Michigan. After two years at Briggs, he took an assignment with Ford Motor Company at the River Rouge Plant where he remained until 1953. He was transferred to Ford Motor Company's Sterling Plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan, where he became the first black Skilled Trades Gear Cutter Job Setter which required a great deal of precision and technical skill. He was active in the United Automobile workers Union. After 39 years of dedicated service, he retired in 1979 with an exemplary attendance record.
He had a fervent love for his family which inspired him to work hard to have more than adequately meet their needs. A man of great wisdom, he instilled in his children and others the importance of education, benevolent treatment of others, responsibility, integrity, and raised their awareness for civil rights.
He could be characterized as a family man. He and Lilar were married for 66 years. They were a loving couple and always welcomed visitors with love food, and fellowship. Lilar kept him "real happy" and "full" with her lifetime of nearly 100,000 delicious meals and snacks.
Willie's hobby was repairing watches for relatives, friends and co-workers. He had a very keen eye for detail and a lot of patience. After retiring, he received his greatest joy taxi-cabbing his grandchildren to school and the malls for shopping sprees.
He was a dedicated, faithful, and the only remaining original charter member of the Peter Salem Lodge #40 of the Masonic Order which he joined in 1947. Prior to his illness, he still attended meetings, and visited and cared for the sick and shut-in members. Being a strong advocate for civil rights, he joined the Youth Council of the N.A.A.C.P. at the age of sixteen. Later he held a Life Membership with the organization.
Willie was a wise, warm hearted, lovable, peaceful, patient, kind, generous, and friendly individual. He was community oriented, lover of history and politics. He was a avid reader and civil rights advocate. Willie prided himself on having a "good mind." He retained his sharp mental state until his transition.
After an extended illness Willie made a peaceful transition into eternity on Sunday, February 24, 2008 at approximately 6:00 a.m. Even though Willie will be missed, he has left pages and chapters filled with treasured memories.
Seeking fertile farmland, Willie's family moved to Charleston, Missouri in 1923 when he was eight years old. There he remained until 1934. It was in Mississippi and Missouri where he received his education excelling in spelling, history and reading. As a young man he worked on his father's farm and enjoyed playing baseball every Saturday and fishing.
Willie accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at the age of fifteen at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Charleston, Missouri and enjoyed singing in the Choir. His favorite song was "Smile Your Troubles Away." He rededicated his life to Christ in 1986 and was baptized at Bethesda Missionary Temple where he also received a Graduate Certificate of Completion for Catechism 1.
In 1934, at the age of eighteen, Willie migrated to Detroit, Michigan to seek employment and to join his other siblings Marie, and Jesse who had preceded him here. In 1936, Willie began working for Briggs Manufacturing Company that later became a division of the Chrysler Corporation in Highland Park, Michigan. After two years at Briggs, he took an assignment with Ford Motor Company at the River Rouge Plant where he remained until 1953. He was transferred to Ford Motor Company's Sterling Plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan, where he became the first black Skilled Trades Gear Cutter Job Setter which required a great deal of precision and technical skill. He was active in the United Automobile workers Union. After 39 years of dedicated service, he retired in 1979 with an exemplary attendance record.
He had a fervent love for his family which inspired him to work hard to have more than adequately meet their needs. A man of great wisdom, he instilled in his children and others the importance of education, benevolent treatment of others, responsibility, integrity, and raised their awareness for civil rights.
He could be characterized as a family man. He and Lilar were married for 66 years. They were a loving couple and always welcomed visitors with love food, and fellowship. Lilar kept him "real happy" and "full" with her lifetime of nearly 100,000 delicious meals and snacks.
Willie's hobby was repairing watches for relatives, friends and co-workers. He had a very keen eye for detail and a lot of patience. After retiring, he received his greatest joy taxi-cabbing his grandchildren to school and the malls for shopping sprees.
He was a dedicated, faithful, and the only remaining original charter member of the Peter Salem Lodge #40 of the Masonic Order which he joined in 1947. Prior to his illness, he still attended meetings, and visited and cared for the sick and shut-in members. Being a strong advocate for civil rights, he joined the Youth Council of the N.A.A.C.P. at the age of sixteen. Later he held a Life Membership with the organization.
Willie was a wise, warm hearted, lovable, peaceful, patient, kind, generous, and friendly individual. He was community oriented, lover of history and politics. He was a avid reader and civil rights advocate. Willie prided himself on having a "good mind." He retained his sharp mental state until his transition.
After an extended illness Willie made a peaceful transition into eternity on Sunday, February 24, 2008 at approximately 6:00 a.m. Even though Willie will be missed, he has left pages and chapters filled with treasured memories.
Willie Lee Richardson, Sr. was born on April 23, 1916 in Clarksdale, Mississippi to the union of the late Lawyer and Savannah (Arrington) Richardson. He was the sixth of eleven children: L.E., Marie, Mack, Jesse, William, Lawyer Jr., Rosie Lee, Bert, Robert and Allen. At this time, Rosie Lee is the only surviving sibling.
Seeking fertile farmland, Willie's family moved to Charleston, Missouri in 1923 when he was eight years old. There he remained until 1934. It was in Mississippi and Missouri where he received his education excelling in spelling, history and reading. As a young man he worked on his father's farm and enjoyed playing baseball every Saturday and fishing.
Willie accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at the age of fifteen at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Charleston, Missouri and enjoyed singing in the Choir. His favorite song was "Smile Your Troubles Away." He rededicated his life to Christ in 1986 and was baptized at Bethesda Missionary Temple where he also received a Graduate Certificate of Completion for Catechism 1.
In 1934, at the age of eighteen, Willie migrated to Detroit, Michigan to seek employment and to join his other siblings Marie, and Jesse who had preceded him here. In 1936, Willie began working for Briggs Manufacturing Company that later became a division of the Chrysler Corporation in Highland Park, Michigan. After two years at Briggs, he took an assignment with Ford Motor Company at the River Rouge Plant where he remained until 1953. He was transferred to Ford Motor Company's Sterling Plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan, where he became the first black Skilled Trades Gear Cutter Job Setter which required a great deal of precision and technical skill. He was active in the United Automobile workers Union. After 39 years of dedicated service, he retired in 1979 with an exemplary attendance record.
He had a fervent love for his family which inspired him to work hard to have more than adequately meet their needs. A man of great wisdom, he instilled in his children and others the importance of education, benevolent treatment of others, responsibility, integrity, and raised their awareness for civil rights.
He could be characterized as a family man. He and Lilar were married for 66 years. They were a loving couple and always welcomed visitors with love food, and fellowship. Lilar kept him "real happy" and "full" with her lifetime of nearly 100,000 delicious meals and snacks.
Willie's hobby was repairing watches for relatives, friends and co-workers. He had a very keen eye for detail and a lot of patience. After retiring, he received his greatest joy taxi-cabbing his grandchildren to school and the malls for shopping sprees.
He was a dedicated, faithful, and the only remaining original charter member of the Peter Salem Lodge #40 of the Masonic Order which he joined in 1947. Prior to his illness, he still attended meetings, and visited and cared for the sick and shut-in members. Being a strong advocate for civil rights, he joined the Youth Council of the N.A.A.C.P. at the age of sixteen. Later he held a Life Membership with the organization.
Willie was a wise, warm hearted, lovable, peaceful, patient, kind, generous, and friendly individual. He was community oriented, lover of history and politics. He was a avid reader and civil rights advocate. Willie prided himself on having a "good mind." He retained his sharp mental state until his transition.
After an extended illness Willie made a peaceful transition into eternity on Sunday, February 24, 2008 at approximately 6:00 a.m. Even though Willie will be missed, he has left pages and chapters filled with treasured memories.
Seeking fertile farmland, Willie's family moved to Charleston, Missouri in 1923 when he was eight years old. There he remained until 1934. It was in Mississippi and Missouri where he received his education excelling in spelling, history and reading. As a young man he worked on his father's farm and enjoyed playing baseball every Saturday and fishing.
Willie accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at the age of fifteen at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Charleston, Missouri and enjoyed singing in the Choir. His favorite song was "Smile Your Troubles Away." He rededicated his life to Christ in 1986 and was baptized at Bethesda Missionary Temple where he also received a Graduate Certificate of Completion for Catechism 1.
In 1934, at the age of eighteen, Willie migrated to Detroit, Michigan to seek employment and to join his other siblings Marie, and Jesse who had preceded him here. In 1936, Willie began working for Briggs Manufacturing Company that later became a division of the Chrysler Corporation in Highland Park, Michigan. After two years at Briggs, he took an assignment with Ford Motor Company at the River Rouge Plant where he remained until 1953. He was transferred to Ford Motor Company's Sterling Plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan, where he became the first black Skilled Trades Gear Cutter Job Setter which required a great deal of precision and technical skill. He was active in the United Automobile workers Union. After 39 years of dedicated service, he retired in 1979 with an exemplary attendance record.
He had a fervent love for his family which inspired him to work hard to have more than adequately meet their needs. A man of great wisdom, he instilled in his children and others the importance of education, benevolent treatment of others, responsibility, integrity, and raised their awareness for civil rights.
He could be characterized as a family man. He and Lilar were married for 66 years. They were a loving couple and always welcomed visitors with love food, and fellowship. Lilar kept him "real happy" and "full" with her lifetime of nearly 100,000 delicious meals and snacks.
Willie's hobby was repairing watches for relatives, friends and co-workers. He had a very keen eye for detail and a lot of patience. After retiring, he received his greatest joy taxi-cabbing his grandchildren to school and the malls for shopping sprees.
He was a dedicated, faithful, and the only remaining original charter member of the Peter Salem Lodge #40 of the Masonic Order which he joined in 1947. Prior to his illness, he still attended meetings, and visited and cared for the sick and shut-in members. Being a strong advocate for civil rights, he joined the Youth Council of the N.A.A.C.P. at the age of sixteen. Later he held a Life Membership with the organization.
Willie was a wise, warm hearted, lovable, peaceful, patient, kind, generous, and friendly individual. He was community oriented, lover of history and politics. He was a avid reader and civil rights advocate. Willie prided himself on having a "good mind." He retained his sharp mental state until his transition.
After an extended illness Willie made a peaceful transition into eternity on Sunday, February 24, 2008 at approximately 6:00 a.m. Even though Willie will be missed, he has left pages and chapters filled with treasured memories.
Gravesite Details
Source: Celebrating The Life Of Willie Lee Richardson, Sr. The Obituary, Saturday, March 1, 2008. Detroit, Michigan
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