Willie James Swindle Jr.

Willie James Swindle Jr. departed this life on March 21, 2015 in Kalamazoo, MI. He was born on August 24, 1941 in Eufala, Alabama, the son of Willie James Swindle Sr. and Hattie Pearl Bush. He moved to the Kalamazoo area in the late 1960’s. He was employed in various positions which as Machine Operator at Eaton Fuller in Kalamazoo. He accepted Christ at an early age and was a faithful member of Continual Praise Ministries in Kalamazoo, MI, serving as a deacon, until his health failed. He was a faithful Believer, spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to people he encountered. He was also known as a perfectionist, from the way he kept his belongings in his apartment to how he kept his car clean. He loved watching television, especially the Western Channel and CNN. He would visit frequently at his sister Dena’s house. Although he was a little bit of a loner, and stayed to himself most of the time, he was still known to others as very humble, kind, caring and giving. Willie had several favorite snacks which included his pickles, sherbert pineapple ice cream, rootbeer, popcicles and sweet potato pie. He loved to keep his lawn manicured and garden. He will be truly missed by all of his family and friends. Willie was preceded in death by his mother, Hattie Pearl Bush; father, Willie James Swindle Sr.; brother Frankie Lee Swindle; sister, Genell Bush and by two grandmothers, Valley Floyd and Gessie White Swindle-Lewis; aunt Bertha Cochran; niece Teresa Swindle; two great-nieces, Jamiyah Bush and Jasmine Dixon and nephew Trey Yarbrough. He leaves to cherish his memories: 4 daughters, Pelica (Andy Sr.) Kaliyati of Kalamazoo, MI; Alora (Dexter) Jordan of Columbus, GA; Laura (Robert Jr.) Thomas and Debbie (Jerome) Hughey all of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren, Andy Jr., Kenyetta, Dion, Taylor, Tyler, Robert III and 12 adopted grandchildren; step-mother, Ethel Mae Swindle of Columbus, GA; stepchildren: Andrew (Tonya) Pitchford, Mildred Pitchford and Anthony (Darlene) Pitchford all of Kalamazoo; 7 sisters, Dena Carter, Annie Gray, Christine and Janet Bush all of Kalamazoo, MI; Betty (Sam) Fardella, Patricia (Sam) Daniels and Ethel Mae (Columbus) Wynn of Columbus, GA; 4 brothers, Archie (Brenda) Swindle, Walter (Valerie) Bush all of Kalamazoo; Robert (Tasha) Swindle and Thomas Swindle of Columbus, GA; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Willie James Swindle Jr.

August 24, 1941 - March 21, 2015