-Cleveland, Ohio- The Rev. Dr. Willie “WL” Hamilton was born on March 18,1941, in Montgomery, Alabama, a son of Claude and Costello Anthony Hamilton.  On Sunday morning, March 12, 2023 (six days prior to his 82^nd birthday), Willie presented his Boarding Pass on the 11:17 A.M. Celestial Flight  from Cleveland, OH, to his heavenly abode.

During the fifty-six years following his 1959 graduation from East High School, Youngstown, OH, Willie utilized his affinity for education to earn an Associate of Arts Degree in Journalism (1966) from Los Angeles City College, Los Angeles, CA; a Master of Arts Degree (1996) from Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, OH; and a Doctor of Ministry (2015), graduated magna cum laude from North Central Theological Seminary, Minneapolis, MN.  Additional educational achievements included a Certificate of Completion (1976) from Announcers Training Studios, New York, NY; a Third-Class Restricted Telephone Operators License to operate radio stations in New York City (1976 test) from the Federal Communications Commission; completion of Radio and Television News Writing Course (1979) at Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA; and a Diploma of Theology (1993) from Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, OH.

Willie received an. Honorable Discharge after having served two years in the U.S. Navy.  He was a Journalist Third Class and a member (tenor) of the Navy’s Bluejackets Choir.

Willie was employed as the Assistant Principal at the former Greater Heights Academy, retiring in 2008.  His previous employments were a teacher at St. Adalbert Elementary School, and Second New Hope Christian Academy, both in Cleveland, OH; Assistant Commissioner of Marketing and Public Relations at Cleveland Power, Cleveland, OH; and Chaplain, Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital, Cleveland, OH.  A Newscaster at WTVR Radio and Television stations, Richmond, VA, WBAM AM and FM Radio, Montgomery, AL, WTVM – TV News Channel 9, Columbus, GA, and WJMO Radio station, Cleveland, OH.          A Reporter for The Associated Press, New York City, The New York Amsterdam News, New York, and The Los Angeles Sentinel, Los Angeles, CA.

Willie was baptized at a young age at First Baptist Church, Greenville, AL. After his family relocated to Youngstown, the family united with Tabernacle Baptist Church and later both, He and his family became charter members of Metropolitan Baptist Church. He was ordained a deacon at Second New Hope Baptist Church, Cleveland, OH, where he was appointed in May 1995 to preach the gospel and ordained to preach in August 2001.  The Rev. Dr. Hamilton united with Bethany Baptist Church, Elyria, OH, where he was the Senior Associate Minister under The Rev. Dr. J. Howard Timmons, Sr. for twenty-one years.  He served as a Trustee, Adult Sunday School Teacher, Visitor to the elderly and ill, Senior Membership Activity Coordinator, and a BBC Food Bank Distributor.  He was a faithful and dedicated member who took his service and dedication to the Lord seriously.  Additionally, he was a level – headed Christian and always engaged with the church’s activities and special events.  Willie, a strong supporter of the Pastor and the visions for the church, never missed a business meeting.

He was a member of the Glenville Health Association, Cleveland, OH, Board of Trustees, and Beta PHI Gamma National Honorary Journalism Society; a former Montgomery, AL, High School basketball referee; and was a Most Outstanding Student Leader at Los Angeles City College.

Willie’s precious, indelible memories remain with his two sisters, Katie Mae Gardner, Hubbard, OH, and Eloise H. McGee, Detroit, MI; a sister-in-law, Doris J. Hamilton, Columbus, OH; a goddaughter, Kimberly Moultrie, Richmond Heights, OH; thirty nephews and nieces, including his Special niece, Shanjya “Lani” Gardner, Youngstown, OH; twenty-four grandnephews and grandnieces, including a Special grandniece, Sausirae (Dujuane Sr.) Weeden, Youngstown, OH; several great-grandnephews and great-grandnieces; two Special cousins, Cora Hill, and Linda Russell, both of Shaker Heights, OH; and a Special cousin/friend, John “Jay” Johnson, Shaker Heights, OH; a Son in the ministry, Rev. Elder Lucious Terrell, Cleveland, OH; and other family and friends.

Willie was predeceased by his parents; seven brothers, Lee L., Joel Melvin, Elliott L. Sr., Theordore R. Sr., Jerry, Claude Jr, and Willie Edward Hamilton; nephews, Lee L. Jr., Theordore R. Jr. and Brandon Hamilton; and nieces, Shauneille L. Gardner, BeBe Hamilton, and Victoria, Cynthia and Vivian McGee.