Mr. Willie Lee Boose's Obituary
Mr. Willie Lee Boose, the youngest of eight children was born on May 4, 1933 in Meridian, Mississippi to the very proud parents of Joe and Effie Boose. Willie was born into a loving family where he had three older brothers, Grant, Clarence and James all of whom preceded him in death. He was also blessed to have four older sisters, Eliza, Ruby, and Flossie who preceded him in death, and his older loving sister Denotra, who currently lives in Chicago, Illinois. Willie loved his family, and he loved being the youngest child in the family. He was everyone's favorite. As he grew and got older he attended the Historic Meridian Baptist Seminary where he excelled in his studies, and at one time thought that he had a calling on his life to preach the gospel. He faithfully attended and worshipped at Savannah Grove Baptist Church with his parents, who were very active in the church. Soon Willie discovered that his calling was not to preach the gospel, but that his ministry was "The Ministry of Song." He professed Jesus Christ at an early age and was baptized at Savannah Grove Baptist Church. During those early years while attending church with his parents he started singing gospel music. He met a few young men at the church who were also gospel singers, and they formed a gospel quartet. Willie and his singing group traveled to local churches and other venues in Meridian, singing the gospel and praising the Lord. Willie enjoyed his singing ministry, especially when he had the opportunity to sing with recording artist, Jimmy Ruffin, the older brother of the talented David Ruffin, of the famous Temptations. That was an occasion that Willie fondly remembered, and regularly talked about. Upon graduating High School Willie pondered over what he wanted to do in life, and decided to do his civic duty, just as his older brothers had done. He joined the United States Army, in 1952, where he served during the Korean conflict. He was stationed in Japan, and, he immensely enjoyed living overseas. While home on a military leave early in 1955, he-met and fell deeply in love with the love of his life, Ms. Ollie Webb of Meridian, Mississippi. After a brief courtship the two got married in November of 1955, and soon after the honeymoon, Willie received orders to report to duty in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he and his young bride happily resided for two years. Upon returning home to Meridian, Mississippi, Willie and Ollie decided to start a family immediately, and born unto this union were four wonderful children, Conchetta, Cheryl, Willie (preceded him in death) and Carmen. Willie worked at various companies to support his growing family. During that time in the early 1960's racism was alive and thriving. Willie and Ollie were Civil Rights Activists and believed i_n equality for all people. So much so, that the couple involved their small children in the integration of the then, all white schools in Mississippi. They also housed a few freedom fighters in their home during that era. It was a dangerous time in Mississippi, but Willie was a very courageous man, and he feared no man. As jobs grew scarce in Mississippi during the mid 1960' s Willie decided to move his family to the north, and to leave the south behind. In the fall of 1966, Chicago, Illinois became the new home for Willie and his family. Once they were all situated in Chicago, Willie again worked various jobs to support his family. He worked at the Chicago Union Station and he held several part time positions such as, A.R.Leak and Sons funeral home, and the famous Yatch Club just to name a couple. It wasn't long before he landed the position that he wanted with the United States Postal Service in 1967, where he worked tirelessly for 25 years, and took an early retirement in 1992. He was ecstatic being retired. He was enjoying life and loved being around people, especially his children and his grandchildren. Being around younger people kept him young, he would always say. He liked all types of music, and loved to sing. One of his favorite blues recording artist was, Bobby Blue Bland. He also enjoyed listening to Lou Rawls music, and the singing trio the Whispers, just to name a few. He was a very neat man. His living quarters were always "inspection ready." His appearance was always "camera ready" His hair was never out of place, and his shoes were always spit shined. "Once a soldier, always a soldier," was a true statement for Willie. He never lost his military training. He had a generous spirit, and he would not hesitate to give a helping hand to anyone in need. He did not have a problem sharing his time, or his money with others. In 2000, Willie moved back to Meridian, Mississippi with hopes of rekindling his affections for Ollie. He was enjoying retirement, but something was missing in Willie's life. Willie without hesitation, realized that some things cannot remain the same, and that some things were not meant to be forever. Willie and Ollie, and Ollie's second husband Les, formed a true friendship that lasted until Willie died recently. Willie was always welcomed in their home whenever, he visited Mississippi, which was quite frequently. In 2004 Willie was diagnosed with a terminal illness while living in Mississippi and was given a prognosis of six months to live. But by the Grace of God, he survived those six months, and later moved back north to South Holland, Illinois in 2005 to live with his daughter, Cheryl and her husband Dennis. Willie found new interests once he moved back to Illinois. He started once again attending church. He would attend on Sundays and, also during the week. He became very outgoing. He became a social butterfly. He started dancing. He attended plays, concerts, parties, graduations, picnics, weddings, funerals, baby blessings, fashion shows, book signings, tea parties, auctions, track meets, basketball games, you name it, and Willie did it. His daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren kept him very busy. He would go to his son-in-law, Dennis' Chiropractic clinic daily. He worked as the patient greeter. He met a lot of new friends and attracted a lot of new patients for his son-in-law, Dennis. He also loved to travel and took many rode trips with the family. Willie also enjoyed ministry work and would visit the sick and the shut-in, sometimes he would give money to the homeless, and would senior sit when he was needed. Willie had a strong faith in God, and he kept his faith even when his son Willie, lost his battle to lung cancer in 2011. His faith remained strong as his own health started to fail him in March of this year. His health declined swiftly, and after a month stay in the hospital, Willie came home and departed this life in his bedroom the morning of April 11th• Willie received a miraculous healing from God Almighty in 2004 and he thrived for 15 years until God called him into Eternity. He leaves to cherish his memory his daughters, Conchetta, (Steve Jones) Cheryl (Dennis Prowell), Carmen, grandchildren, Jerome (Silk Thomas), Eduardo, Nicole, Valencia, Dennis (Daisy Prowell) Corey, great-grandchildren, Malik, Julian, E'dajah, DeAndre, Eduardo, Jr, Aaliyah, Jerwaun, Jordan, Derell, Denzel, Kaylan, Khalil, Jaquavius, Dennis, III, Christian, Joshua, Ziaire, Elijah, Cameron, Dylann, Beloved sister; Denotra White, Lifelong friend; Ollie (Les Nelson) Nieces; Effie Staton-Morris, Joanne,(Willie Davis), Franchesca(Kirven Lang) La'Cherie Little, Nephews; Carl Staton, Charles Staton, (Gwen) Clarence Spears, James Boose, Curtis Little (deceased) (Cassandra)
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