Willie Freddie James August 28, 1928 – May 14, 2019 Share this obituary Send Flowers Sign Guestbook| Send Sympathy Card Willie Freddie James, the second of three siblings, was born in Sumter, South Carolina on August 28, 1927 to the late Mary Peterson Ray and Mackey James. Freddie, as he was called, departed this life on May 14, 2019. Freddie was educated in the Sumter public school system.
After school, Freddie discovered his many gifts and talents especially in the trades, which included Carpentry and Masonry. Repairing, installing, and operating electrical equipment was a hobby he enjoyed. As an automotive mechanic, he built a car lift in his mother’s back yard where he repaired many cars.
Freddie enjoyed music; he and three others (the late Henry Lang, Willie Singleton, and Johnny Williams) formed a band, where he played the drums. The band performed at many venues across South Carolina, including Swan Lake which did not welcome African Americans during that time. In 1951, Freddie felt his call to join the military.
He joined the U.S. Army, where he served for 20 years. He served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and served out his career position as a Culinary Specialist.
He often spoke about preparing meals for Majors, Colonels and Generals. His sheet cakes were always a hit. The Military gave him the opportunity to travel to several states and countries, including Japan and Germany.
Freddie saw the Army as an opportunity to care financially for his mother, which he did until her passing. Freddie received an honorable discharge from the Army and return to his home town of Sumter. After retiring, Freddie attended Sumter Technical School for Business Administration.
Freddie was later blessed with a God sent help mate, Barbara. On April 23, 1984, Willie (as she calls him) and Barbara were united in marriage. Barbara was true to her vows, “promised to love in sickness and in health; until death do us part”.
They were true partners, if you saw one you saw the other. They enjoyed watching soap operas and shopping. Barbara enjoyed cooking and he enjoyed eating her delicious meals.
Freddie grew up attending Mt. Pisgah A.M.E Church with his mother. Freddie and Barbara attended Greenhill Missionary Baptist Church in Alcolu, SC until his health started to decline.
For many years, he read and studied the Word of God. He leaves to cherish many precious memories: his loving and devoted wife of 25 years, Barbara; stepdaughter, Shelia Mitchell of Manning, SC; grandsons: Travis (Tisha) Scott of Florence, SC and Jaguan (Kayla) Mitchell of Texas; brothers-in-law: Eugene Durant of Sumter, SC, Alonzo (Rosa) Epps, and Edward Epps both of Manning, SC; sisters-in-law: Ruth Murray of Manning, SC, Delores Fiall of Charleston, SC, Evelyn (Lawrence) Davis of Atlanta, GA, Melissa Epps of Sumter, SC, and Melinda Epps of Alcolu, SC; three nieces: Shirley Jackson of Upper Marlboro, MD, Mary Dicks of Cheltenham, PA, and Vanessa Durant of Philadelphia, PA; one nephew, Ronald Durant of Philadelphia, PA; seven grand-nieces; one grand-nephew; twelve great-grand nieces; and eight great-great-grand nieces and nephew; one special cousin, Carrie Mae McFadden; and a host of other relatives and friends. Freddie was preceded in death by his sisters, Elizabeth Bracey and Miriam Durant; a nephew Curtis Bracey, Jr.; and niece, Valerie Durant Hatcher.
Public Viewing will be held on Friday, May 17, 2019 from 2-6pm at Job’s Mortuary. Mr. James will be placed in the church on Thursday, May 18, 2019 at 10am for viewing until the hour of service. Funeral Services will be held at 11am on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at Salem Chapel & Heritage Center 101 South Salem Avenue Sumter, SC 29150.
Interment will be held 10am on Monday, May 20, 2019 at Fort Jackson National Cemetery in Columbia, SC. Family will receive friends at the home, 2625 Converse Street Sumter, SC 29153. Job’s Mortuary, Inc., 312 S. Main Street is in charge of arrangements.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
