Obituary for Willie J. Minniefield
On Sunday, November 14, 1926, Willie J. Minniefield, loving husband of the late Sarah Frances Minniefield (née Drain), was born to Will T. and Rosalee Minniefield (née Myree), in Perryville (Perry County), Alabama. Willie was the third (3rd) child of nine (9) children.
He attended elementary and high school in the Perry County School District. Willie served in the United States Army during World War II and was stationed in Germany. He returned to Alabama in 1946, after receiving an honorable discharge from the Army, then in 1947, he moved to Detroit, Michigan. On Tuesday, March 28, 1950, Willie, and Sarah eloped and remained united in holy matrimony until her death on Monday, November 22, 2021.
Growing up, Willie attended Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, where he received Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. Willie and Sarah lived in Cleveland, Ohio for several years. While there, Willie was a member of St. Peter’s Methodist AME church and served as a Trustee under the leadership of the late Rev. Williams. In Detroit, he was a longtime member of New Prospect Baptist Church most recently under the leadership of the late Reverend Wilma Robena Johnson. He loved to usher alongside his wife.
Willie truly loved the Lord and would often sing hymns to himself. A few weeks ago, he sat in his recliner and sang “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. In recent months, he reassured his family that he was ready to be with the Lord and he wanted to die in his sleep like both his mother and father. God honored Willie’s desire and allowed him to take his final rest at 8:10 PM on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at the Highland Park Care Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Willie loved talking about cars. If you took your new car around him, even a rental car, he would inspect it and talk about the features. His love of cars stems from him working at Chrysler Corporation for over 30 years before retiring in 1981. Community was very important to Willie. He was Treasurer of the Prest Street Block Club and had a lifetime membership with the NAACP. Willie was an avid bowler, who bowled with members of Jerome Bettis’ family. He loved to travel, especially to family reunions. Both Willie and Sarah loved Square Dancing. They even traveled to Square Dance competitions and conventions. He has several Square Dance diplomas, one stating that he earned the title of “Bachelor of Mainstream Square Dancing”.
Willie shared stories about growing up during the Jim Crow era in Alabama and about serving in the military during segregation. However, those negative experiences did not make him a bitter person. Willie will always be remembered for his kindness, mild-mannered demeanor, subtle sense of humor, cooperative spirit, and extreme politeness. The nurses at the Highland Park Care Center stated that no matter what they did for him; whether it was lifting him or giving him a glass of water, he ALWAYS said, “Thank you” and was very appreciative. The same sentiments are echoed by his watchful and attentive next-door neighbors of more than 40 years, Andrew, and Robin McDaniel.
His precious memories are shared by his sisters: Sarah L. Johnson (Louis – deceased) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Joyce Minnifield of Sacramento, California; his brother (in-law): Walter Drain (Ruby) of Lutz, Florida; his aunt: Lillie Cook of Selma, Alabama; his god-daughter Toni Hall of Detroit, Michigan; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He attended elementary and high school in the Perry County School District. Willie served in the United States Army during World War II and was stationed in Germany. He returned to Alabama in 1946, after receiving an honorable discharge from the Army, then in 1947, he moved to Detroit, Michigan. On Tuesday, March 28, 1950, Willie, and Sarah eloped and remained united in holy matrimony until her death on Monday, November 22, 2021.
Growing up, Willie attended Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, where he received Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. Willie and Sarah lived in Cleveland, Ohio for several years. While there, Willie was a member of St. Peter’s Methodist AME church and served as a Trustee under the leadership of the late Rev. Williams. In Detroit, he was a longtime member of New Prospect Baptist Church most recently under the leadership of the late Reverend Wilma Robena Johnson. He loved to usher alongside his wife.
Willie truly loved the Lord and would often sing hymns to himself. A few weeks ago, he sat in his recliner and sang “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. In recent months, he reassured his family that he was ready to be with the Lord and he wanted to die in his sleep like both his mother and father. God honored Willie’s desire and allowed him to take his final rest at 8:10 PM on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at the Highland Park Care Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Willie loved talking about cars. If you took your new car around him, even a rental car, he would inspect it and talk about the features. His love of cars stems from him working at Chrysler Corporation for over 30 years before retiring in 1981. Community was very important to Willie. He was Treasurer of the Prest Street Block Club and had a lifetime membership with the NAACP. Willie was an avid bowler, who bowled with members of Jerome Bettis’ family. He loved to travel, especially to family reunions. Both Willie and Sarah loved Square Dancing. They even traveled to Square Dance competitions and conventions. He has several Square Dance diplomas, one stating that he earned the title of “Bachelor of Mainstream Square Dancing”.
Willie shared stories about growing up during the Jim Crow era in Alabama and about serving in the military during segregation. However, those negative experiences did not make him a bitter person. Willie will always be remembered for his kindness, mild-mannered demeanor, subtle sense of humor, cooperative spirit, and extreme politeness. The nurses at the Highland Park Care Center stated that no matter what they did for him; whether it was lifting him or giving him a glass of water, he ALWAYS said, “Thank you” and was very appreciative. The same sentiments are echoed by his watchful and attentive next-door neighbors of more than 40 years, Andrew, and Robin McDaniel.
His precious memories are shared by his sisters: Sarah L. Johnson (Louis – deceased) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Joyce Minnifield of Sacramento, California; his brother (in-law): Walter Drain (Ruby) of Lutz, Florida; his aunt: Lillie Cook of Selma, Alabama; his god-daughter Toni Hall of Detroit, Michigan; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.