Willie Maurice Horsley Sr.

Willie Maurice Horsley Sr. was born on May 23, 1940, in Linden, Texas, as the second child of Codelia A. Grigsby Horsley and Mitchell Horsley. In 1943, during the Second Great Migration, the family relocated to Portland, Oregon, where Willie spent  his formative years. He attended Guilds Lake School, Chapman Grade School, Failing Grade School, Couch School, and Boise Eliot Elementary School before graduating from Jefferson High School in 1958.

After high school, Willie began a lifelong career at Coca-Cola, where he worked diligently for 35 years until his retirement in 2002.

Willie was a devoted family man. On December 2, 1963, he married the love of his life, Carol Joyce Freeman. Together, they built a beautiful family, having seven children: five sons and two daughters. Tragically, their eldest child, a girl, was stillborn. 

Music was one of Willie’s great passions. He played bass as a member of the Fabulous Majestics Band alongside Willie Owens, Joshua Polk, Hurtise Hadley, Bill Pittman, Garfield West, and Melvin Vann. Beyond performing, he loved collecting records and listening to his favorite artists.

Willie’s life was transformed by his faith. Following a significant life event, he devoted himself to the Lord and became an active member of Mt. Olivet Church. He faithfully attended Sunday services, cleaned the pews on Tuesdays, and participated in Bible Study and the Men’s Group. At home, he could often be found with his Bible open, delving into scripture. After moving to Harvest Homes, he continued his worship by attending services at their chapel.

Willie cherished life’s simple pleasures. He enjoyed watching sports, playing dominoes, and indulging in his favorite treat, vanilla ice cream. He often walked to the store to stay active and pick up scratch-off tickets. Time spent with family and friends, especially his sister Shirley, brought him immense joy.

Willie was preceded in death by his parents, Mitchell and Codelia, and his son, Willie Maurice Horsley Jr. He leaves behind a family who deeply cherishes his memory: his sister Shirley Jeanette Horsley-Cuff; his children Keith Darnell Horsley (Teresa Horsley), Trent Lamont Horsley, Tracy Lee Horsley Sr., Robin Lanette Horsley, and Terrell Troy Horsley; his grandchildren Shereeta Horsley, Danyeash Howard, Kiosha Ford, Trayci Lomax, Tracy Horsley Jr., Tianiqua Horsley, Michel’le Horsley, Erykah Horsley, Ahad Hasan Jr., Shamaya Horsley, Justise Horsley, Areionna Horsley, Veyounce Horsley, Keith Horsley Jr. and Dondre Horsley; and 11 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his nephew Michael Horsley Sr. and a host of extended family and friends.

Although Willie may be gone from our sight, his legacy lives on in the hearts of those who loved him.

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