Willie D. Burress was born January 24, 1926, to Lizzie and Ed Burress.  He grew up in Corinth, Mississippi with his siblings, Clovis (Katie), Horace (Lytie), Victoria Moore (Willie), Sammie Laury (Corene), Samuel Laury, Enoch (Ola Mae), Burbiner Holly (Laverne), James (Allie V), John Arthur, Charles (Rachel), Frances Robinson (Johnny), Henry (Delores) and Huddie (Liz).  All siblings preceded him in death except sister in-laws Ola Mae and Liz Burress.

He graduated high school at 21 years old because he was drafted into World War II and forced to leave high school before graduation to join the United States Navy.  He often told the story of how he’d planned to join the Army as his brothers had, but the recruiter signed him up for the Navy instead.  He said turned out to be a blessing to him as traveled all over the world and was very honored to be in Tokyo, Japan for the signing of the peace treaty.  Willie served on the USS Shadwell which was bombed on his 19th birthday in the Philippines. He thanked the Lord that the enemy missed their target, and the bomb hit the middle of the ship.  Had that bomb hit either end according to Willie, the ship would have gone down immediately, and he may not have been here for 99 years!

Upon returning home, Willie graduated high school and continued his education at Russ College and became a math teacher. He married Rosa Dilworth of Huntsville, Alabama and to that union, his son Lamar was born.  He taught school for several years and later moved to Cleveland, Ohio with three of his brothers and worked at Eaton Manufacturing and then South Euclid Lumber Company.   He met and married Mary Burton and to that union, his daughters Ramona and Angela were born.  He then worked and retired from Cleveland’s Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and partnered with Sarge McQueen at Erie Shores Bus Tours.  While in Cleveland, Willie was a member of Starlight Baptist Church and then Zion Chapel Missionary Baptist Church serving as a Deacon and Trustee.  He and his brother Enoch even built parts of the sanctuary at Zion Chapel.  Once his girls were married, he built a new home and moved back to the south to live in Baldwyn, Mississippi where he enjoyed many fish dinners with his good friend, former Mayor Michael James.  He married Gennette Burks of Detroit, Michigan they both attended and served at Sandhill Baptist Church.  Willie was well-liked in Baldwyn and was honored and featured in the newspaper for his military service and Burress Street in Baldwyn was named after him.

In July of 2021, Willie returned to Cleveland and lived his final years with his children, grands and great-grands.  Willie loved traveling, learning, laughing and eating!  He also loved the Lord and often spoke reverently about “The Master”. We thank God for his life here and that it now continues as he rejoices in heaven.  We’ll see him again!

Cherishing his memory and continuing his legacy are his children, Lamar (Sally), Ramona McCloud (Richard) and Angela Johnson (Ivery who preceded him in death).  Stepchildren, Marilyn Ware, Gwen Burks and Alex Burks who both preceded him in death.  Grandchildren, Jacinda Sergent, Kimberly Pope (David), Marisa Pizii (Matthew), Christopher Johnson, Andrew McCloud, Bethany Johnson and Aaron McCloud (Amy).  Step grandchildren David Burks who preceded him in death, Jimmie Ware, Bridget Munoz and John Munoz.  Great-grandchildren: Zachary, Job, Alexandra, Jazmine, Quentin, Gus, Veda, Danity, Chris and Trinity.  As well as a loving host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.