Mr. Willie James Samuel was born on October 3, 1947, in Darlington County, SC, son of the late Mr. James J. Samuel and Mrs. Letha Walker.  He departed this life on Sunday, January 7, 2018, in Moncks Corner, SC.

Willie attended the public schools in Darlington County.  He was married to Mrs. Rosa Mae Gibson.  To this union they were blessed with four lovely daughters, two preceded him in death, Annette McMillan and Dorothy Samuel.

In August 1975, he was joined in Holy Matrimony to Ms. Jerrie Lease Weiters. He became the stepfather to four lovely children.

Willie was a member of Bethel Deliverance Church. He later became a member of Freewill Family Ministry where he served faithfully until his death. He served in various capacities at Freewill to include Deacon and Overseer for Noon Day Prayer. He and his wife had an outreach ministry, visiting the sick and shut-in in the community and nursing homes offering songs, prayers and words of encouragement.

Willie was employed by Santee Cooper as a Heavy Equipment Operator until he retired.  Willie James loved to fish.  He loved to joke and had a laugh that would light up a room.  His favorite saying was "To Blessed To Be Stressed".

Willie leaves to cherish his memories: children, Willie Mae (James) Wright of Pineville, SC, Virginia Samuel of Darlington, SC, Herman (Shelvia) Limehouse of Greenville, SC, Gary (Maxine) Weiters, Bonnie (Leon) Simmons, and Warren (Sandy) Weiters all of Moncks Corner, SC; 27 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; siblings, Betty M. Robinson, Lucy (Arthur) Williams both of Darlington, SC, Barbara Samuel of Florence, SC, Janie Boston, Kenneth Samuel both of Darlington, SC, Raymond Samuel of Atlanta, GA and Robert Brown of Darlington, SC; brother-in-law, Clarence Limehouse of Manhattan, NY; sisters-in-law, Hennie Jackson of Moncks Corner, SC, Monica (Christopher) McKinley of Columbia, SC, Margaret A. Limehouse and Shirley Limehouse both of Moncks Corner, SC; special friends, David Poinsette and Glenwood Stinney; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Willie was preceded in death by his wife, Jerrie; siblings, Juliann Samuel, Lillie M. Samuel, Roger Samuel and Steve Samuel.