Willie Hood

Willie was born to the late Virginia Bell and Willie Hood, Sr. in Bessemer, Alabama. He was the oldest of three children, Samuel and David Hood, who proceeded him in death. He accepted Christ at an early age and joined The Beulah Baptist Church under the late Pastor, Rev. J.W. Lenud in Bessemer, Alabama and graduated from Dunbar High School March 31, 1943. Willie joined the United States Navy and was a Seaman First Class and was honorably discharged on February 23, 1945 from the US Naval Personnel Separation Center in Memphis, Tennessee. Willie migrated to Detroit, MI in June of 1949 during this time he met and married Esther M. Harris in 1950 and to this union one child was born, Mae C. Howard. He started work at Ford Motor Company from 1950-1953, then started employment with The City of Detroit in 1953, where he retired after 30 years on June 18, 1983. Willie enjoyed watching baseball, football, washing his car and enjoying late evenings sitting under the tree, life was peaceful. On April 6, 2016 he received a honorary Sprit of Detroit Award from the City Council for being the first long-term and valued resident at Friendship Forest Park Village Community. Willie heard a knock at the door on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. He answered the door and entered in to be with the Lord. Willie leaves cherished memories to his daughter Mae C. Hood (Howard) of Westland, MI; 2 grandchildren, Bobby D. Hood (Erica) of Highland Park, MI and Adrienne K. McCain of Redford, MI; 5 great grandchildren, Michael A. Alford-McCain, DeAngela A. Alford-McCain, Robert L. Hood, Danielle D. McCain and Jonathan D. Hood; 1 Nephew Samuel Hood, Jr. of Detroit, MI; 3 Nieces Reba Hood-Browne (Calvin) of Farmington Hills, MI, Melanie Hood-Land (Ivan), Crystal Hood-Riser (Kevin) of Southfield, MI; and a host of other relatives and friends.