Willie Winston, Jr.

Willie Winston, Jr. was born to the late Willie Winston Sr., and the late Renner Taylor on August 12, 1939 in Start, Louisiana.  Willie passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on September 10, 2024, after a brief illness in Seattle, Washington.

Willie grew up in large family, working hard on their farm. Their family consisted of Willie and Renner Winston and their 12 children.  Willie was the fourth born child and the first son born to the union of Willie Sr. and Renner. Willie is preceded in death by eight siblings. He is survived by sisters Virginia DeBose of Ruston, Louisiana, Pearl Essett of Houston, Texas, and Annie Jones of Houston, Texas.

Willie is preceded in death by his special longtime partner, Debra Porter of Virginia.

Willie left Louisiana in 1958 to join the Army.  His service took him to Houston, Texas, and Seattle, Washington. Willie would also relocate to Seaside, California, but ultimately returned to Seattle, Washington where he worked and resided from 1967 until his passing.

Willie leaves behind five children, Jeff Dorsey (Joan) of Covington, Georgia, Shelia Whitehead, of Renton, Washington, Curtis Winston of Pasco, Washington, Helen Winston of Kent, Washington, and Patricia Gibson (Mark) of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Special extended daughter, Arnetta Porter-Lawrence, Woodbridge, VA. Willie is preceded in death by three sons; Charles Williams, Willie Winston III., infant son deceased shortly after birth. Willie extended family includes grandchildren; Demond Dorsey, Latonya Butler, Brandi Day, Shontrice Eaton, Anthony Whitehead Jr., Christopher Whitehead, and Phillip Winston, bonus grandchildren Kendal, Kelsey, and Khloe’ Lawrence. Several great- grandchildren Aaliyah Dorsey, Deja Culpepper, Jaydon Culpepper, Kameron Earl, Aamirah Day, Devin-Mekhi Wright, Braylen Whitehead, Jeremiah Butler, Kristian Day, and Camille Winston.

Willie’s careers post his military service, included working as a Welder at Shipyards in both   Monterey, CA and Seattle WA.  Willie went back to college to pursue a business degree.  He was able to use his education and passion for equal rights to start a career as a Human Rights Officer for the City of Seattle, and King County of Washington.  Willie retired as a Human Rights Contracts Compliance Officer from King County Metro in 2003, his career in this field span over forty years.  Willie lived his life committed to bettering the lives of others through his work and being a personal role model to many.

Willie confessed his life to Christ at an early age. For more than 20 years, Willie was a member of the Martin Luther King Jr Baptist Church in Renton.  He was a long time Usher on the church’s Usher Board.

Willie was deeply involved in the Royal Esquire Social Club in Seattle, Washington for over forty years. He was a distinguished Lifetime Member of the Royal Esquire Social Club, and took his role of service seriously, professionally, and proudly.

The Church will be Live Streaming the Service on October 4, 2024, please visit the church website for the streaming information.

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