Mr. Willie Earl Buchanan

****NOTE: Visitation & Funeral Service Times and Locations Listed Willie Earl Buchanan was born May 20, 1946 in Okolona, MS to the late John and Jessie Lee (McWhorter) Buchanan, the 5th of 10 children. Willie attended school in Okolona and shortly after graduating from Fannie Carter High School in 1966, he moved to Kalamazoo, MI where some of his older siblings lived. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1967. His service from 1967 until 1969 included a tour of duty in Vietnam. Willie received an Honorable Discharge in August of 1969. He received a Medal of Commendation for his service in Vietnam, a Marksmanship Award and was a Purple Heart recipient. Willie began working at the General Motors (Fisher Body) plant in Kalamazoo in September of 1969, retiring in 2002. His last two and a half years were spent at the Power Train plant in Toledo, Ohio. Willie met the love of his life, Ida D. Ollie, when he returned to Kalamazoo after being discharged from the Army. They were married August 15, 1970. Willie confessed Christ at an early age at Chapel Grove West Baptist Church in Okolona, MS. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church of Kalamazoo where he served faithfully. He was an Ordained Deacon serving as Chairman of the Deacons’ Ministry until his health failed. His favorite scripture was the 23rd Psalm and he recited it daily. His greatest love was singing gospel with his brothers. He was a sportsman at heart. He loved small game hunting. He played basketball, baseball, softball, pitched horseshoes and was an avid bowler receiving numerous trophies and awards in all areas. Willie thought he had the “world’s greatest” nephews and nieces and had a special connection with most, if not all, of them. . . .whether it was cooking sweet potatoes for Aaliyah; hunting with Anthony Glen; serving as a personal basketball coach for Ronneda and Kim; telling Tammy to slow down or she will get a ticket; talking football with Tyler and basketball with TJ and Bass; discussing his medical situation with Stacy; talking with Steve about his boys or just teasing with Sharmedia and the list goes on. A special thank you is extended to nephews Thaddeus Bradley and Calvin Ollie, affectionately known as “Mr. T and Cal Dog”, who made sure their uncle had a fresh hair cut at all times. Willie was preceded in death by his parents, John and Jessie Lee Buchanan; his in-laws, Talbert and Boydie Mae Ollie; brother, James E. Buchanan; granddaughter, Marisa Davis; nephews, David Marcus Owens, Derrick McPherson, and Benito “Tito” Ollie. He leaves to cherish his memories: his wife of 48 years, Ida (Ollie) Buchanan; daughter Sheila Rene’ (Eric) Parkman; sons: John Talbert Buchanan, Derrick Pratt all of Kalamazoo, and Charles (Nichelle) Davis of Ypsilanti, MI; his grandchildren, who were his prize possessions, Kiera and Kendra Parkman; Zyen and Azryelle Buchanan all of Kalamazoo; Chase and Zuri Davis of Ypsilanti, MI; Eric and Travis Franklin of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Rico DaJohn Taul Sr. of Cincinnati, Ohio; great grandchildren, Jailynn Parkman of Kalamazoo and Rico DaJohn Taul Jr. of Cincinnati, Ohio. Siblings: John (Alice) Buchanan, Marie DeVall, Mittie DeVould, Brad Lee (Estella) Buchanan, J.L. (Terry) Buchanan, David (Annette) Buchanan, Hal (Janet) Buchanan all of Kalamazoo, MI and Betty Sue (David) Owens of Okolona, MS. In-Laws: Van (Bobbie) Ollie of Loganville, Georgia; Vivian Ollie-Oneal, Larry (Loretta) Ollie, Roeshell Ollie, Dudley O. (Teri) Ollie all of Kalamazoo, MI; Talbert (Regina) Ollie of Muskegon, MI; and Ruth Ollie-Wright of Culver City, CA. God-children and their families; Carla (William) Alexander; Aaron (Nikki) Randle, Lataja (Denerson) Smith; Tyler Buchanan all of Kalamazoo, and Carmen (Benjamin) Heard of Stockbridge, Georgia. Others who called him dad include Marc Davis, Aaron McHeard of Kalamazoo, MI and Russell Moore Jr. of Alabama. Aunts: Dr. Alice Baber-Banks of Sacremento, CA; Mrs. Ozell Matthews of Battle Creek, MI; Mrs. Ada Pearl Thomas of Ellicott City, MD; Mrs. Vivian Akiens of Memphis, TN; Mrs. Elizabeth Ollie and Mrs. Mary Ollie of Kalamazoo, MI. Willie had many close friends which includes Janie Reed, Odella Swift, Mamon Whitfield, Tyren Releford, L.A. Williams, Elder Eddie Palmore and the children of Mr. Oreace Ivy just to name a few. He loved “His” Pastor and “His” First Lady, Pastor Jerry Wilkerson and Sis Gloria Wilkerson and the entire Friendship Baptist Church family; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Mr. Willie Earl Buchanan

May 20, 1946 - October 23, 2018