Willie "Sun" Odneal

ODNEAL, Mr. Willie James "Sun" - Age 69, passed away Monday, September 10, 2007 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Oakland. Family hour 10:00a.m. Friday, September 14, 2007 from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 268 N. Perry St., with funeral service commencing at 11a.m. Elder Willie Vaughn, officiating. Interment Oak Hill Cemetery, 216 University Dr. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the funeral home 10a.m. Friday. Mr. Odneal will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, and may be viewed from 4-8p.m. Thursday. Willie James Odneal was born April 14, 1938 in Columbus, MS to the union of Clifford and Cassie Odneal. He departed this life on Monday, September 10, 2007. Willie accepted Christ at an early age. He was a faithful member of Highway of Holiness C.O.G.I.C. under the pasturage of his brother, Pastor Tom Odneal. Willie was a loving, energetic and outgoing person who truly loved the Lord, life, family and friends. Willie was a student of the Columbus, MS school system. In 1958, relocated to Pontiac, MI, where shortly after he met his first wife Betty Jenkins Odneal. Unto this union, one child was born. On April 15, 1983, he later remarried Shirley Jean Odneal. Willie retired from General Motors on September 23, 2003 with 42 years of service. Some of his hobbies included: watching baseball on TV, reading his Bible, and going to the Men?s Warehouse. He leaves to mourn: three children, Yolanda Odneal of Pontiac, James Stringfield of Ann Arbor and Jeffrey Gandy of Detroit: seven stepchildren, DaWanda Benford, Pauline Womble, Steve Womble, Robert Womble, Joleyne Brown, James Lolly and Roxana (Jerry) Reed: four grandchildren, Kelly Jacobs II, Ramaad Stringfield, LySaiha Stringfield and Meosha Stringfield: two great grandchildren: two sisters, Virginia Cole of Pontiac and Helen Jones of Columbus, MS: three brothers, Tom Odneal of Bloomfield, MI, Zane (Clarice) Odneal of Pontiac, Eddie (Wesa) Odneal of Lake Orion. A host of nephews, nieces, relatives and dear friends including special aunt of Columbus, MS, Aunt Jenny. James Alston for always making my day with a good story. E.W. Thompson and John Teamer for always having my back at General Motors. Charles Wellens for always coming to see about me whether you were feeling good yourself or not. Willie James Odneal was preceded in death by his wife Shirley Jean Odneal, ex-wife Betty Jenkins Odneal, father Clifford Odneal, mother Cassie Odneal and brother Carldon Odneal. The family would like to express special thanks to all the doctors and nurses at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, and my favorite nephew Mark Cole for unconditional devotion during my good times and my down times! You were more than just a nephew! Love Uncle Sun

Willie "Sun" Odneal

April 14, 1938 - September 10, 2007