Obituary for Pastor W.C. McNeil, Sr. (Retired)
A Servant’s Journey Reverend Willie Clyde McNeil, Sr. July 21, 1940 - February 25, 2023
Reverend Willie Clyde McNeil, Sr. was born on July 21, 1940 to the late Reverend Willie James McNeil and Linnis Irene Donaldson McNeil . He was a Pastor’s Pastor, United States Air Force Veteran, a Supervisory Biologist, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather and Friend. He graduated from Alabama A&M in Huntsville, Alabama and furthered his education in biblical studies while serving in the United States Air Force. He served as President of the Southwest Wing Convention of the Alabama State Baptist Convention, USA Inc. He was filled with gratitude in 2017 when recognized with the prestigious honor of Washington County Hall of Fame for his commitment to community service. He later was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from E.L. White Seminary for his devotion to the word of God. He volunteered on the Housing Board in Chatom, AL and served as Chaplin for the Basketball Team at Washington County High School. His memory lives on in the hearts and minds of the many community members that knew him as Billy, Mentor, Friend and Pastor.
He began his Pastorate at Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church of Womack Hill and listened to those he served with love and tender care. He was delighted when the Lord sent him to lead New Truelight Missionary Baptist Church in Koenton Alabama where he faithfully served and loved all of those whom the Lord sent his way. He later had the privilege to serve Sweet Pilgram Missionary Baptist Church in Buckatunna Mississippi and was humbled by the tender loving care of the members and the community he served. He completed his pastorate with love and care from the people of Mt Sinai where he adored his members and treasured the friends, family and the fellowship for 30 years until his recent retirement.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Avie McNeil; sister-in[1]law, Christine McNeil; and brother-in-law, Bill Patterson. He leaves to cherish his memories, his loving and devoted college sweetheart and wife of fifty-seven years, Emarance Johnson McNeil of Pittsburgh, PA. To this union was born Wanica Elizabeth McNeil, Cammie Irene McNeil, and Willie Clyde (Keisha) McNeil, Jr. The apple of his eye were his grandchildren: Morgan Turner, Jonathan Venable, and Kennedy McNeil, including great-grandson, Gary O’Leary. He is also survived by two brothers: James L. (Juliette) McNeil and Joe McNeil; loving sisters-in-law: Linda (Phillip) Wasler and Patsy Patterson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends and a loving community.
Reverend Willie Clyde McNeil, Sr. was born on July 21, 1940 to the late Reverend Willie James McNeil and Linnis Irene Donaldson McNeil . He was a Pastor’s Pastor, United States Air Force Veteran, a Supervisory Biologist, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather and Friend. He graduated from Alabama A&M in Huntsville, Alabama and furthered his education in biblical studies while serving in the United States Air Force. He served as President of the Southwest Wing Convention of the Alabama State Baptist Convention, USA Inc. He was filled with gratitude in 2017 when recognized with the prestigious honor of Washington County Hall of Fame for his commitment to community service. He later was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from E.L. White Seminary for his devotion to the word of God. He volunteered on the Housing Board in Chatom, AL and served as Chaplin for the Basketball Team at Washington County High School. His memory lives on in the hearts and minds of the many community members that knew him as Billy, Mentor, Friend and Pastor.
He began his Pastorate at Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church of Womack Hill and listened to those he served with love and tender care. He was delighted when the Lord sent him to lead New Truelight Missionary Baptist Church in Koenton Alabama where he faithfully served and loved all of those whom the Lord sent his way. He later had the privilege to serve Sweet Pilgram Missionary Baptist Church in Buckatunna Mississippi and was humbled by the tender loving care of the members and the community he served. He completed his pastorate with love and care from the people of Mt Sinai where he adored his members and treasured the friends, family and the fellowship for 30 years until his recent retirement.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Avie McNeil; sister-in[1]law, Christine McNeil; and brother-in-law, Bill Patterson. He leaves to cherish his memories, his loving and devoted college sweetheart and wife of fifty-seven years, Emarance Johnson McNeil of Pittsburgh, PA. To this union was born Wanica Elizabeth McNeil, Cammie Irene McNeil, and Willie Clyde (Keisha) McNeil, Jr. The apple of his eye were his grandchildren: Morgan Turner, Jonathan Venable, and Kennedy McNeil, including great-grandson, Gary O’Leary. He is also survived by two brothers: James L. (Juliette) McNeil and Joe McNeil; loving sisters-in-law: Linda (Phillip) Wasler and Patsy Patterson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends and a loving community.