Deacon McClenon

Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 2, 2007 at Victorious Believers Ministries C.O.G.I.C., 624 S. Outer Drive. Bishop Marvin C. Pryor will officiate with interment in Eastlawn Memorial Gardens. Friends may call at Browne's Mortuary, 441 N. Jefferson Ave. on Wednesday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; ...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15 Willie McClenon was born on June 1, 1925 to Ben McClenon and Gussie West in Claxton, GA. The oldest of four children, he went into the U.S. Army and served in World War II in Okinawa Nakashima, Japan where he received four Medals of Commemoration. Honorably discharged from the service in 1946, he was persuaded to "come north" by his first cousin, Henry Showers, where he found work at the G.M. Grey Iron Metal Casting Plant for 39 years until his retirement in 1981. He attended Tabernacle Baptist Church and was the Chief Usher until he met and married Wanda L. Smith in 1950. He became a member of Grant Street C.O.G.I.C., i.e. Williams Memorial C.O.G.I.C. His service as an usher for 40-plus years rendered him the titles of President of the Usher Board (40 years), Usher of the Year (1988), Deacon of the Year South West Three (1988), and Usher Emeritus (1989). Willie believed early in his life that a pastor should have knowledge of the number of "persons" attending a church service and had a system of "counting heads" that he was capable of doing until his last days. He also received an award for "Mr. Parking Lot" in 1993. He was an "Armour Bearer/Adjutant" before the title was established. He was faithful to the church and taught the Sunday School Cradle Role for many years as well as YPWW. He loved singing and sang with a group of men called the "Williamson's". Willie loved the Lord and his family with all his heart. He had a passion for hunting, fishing and gardening. He prided himself as a painter and shared his skills with a number of "Street Boys" that he mentored. He believed in teaching everyone the importance of working and taking care of your church and family. He leaves to mourn, his children, Deborah J. Williams-Gaines (David), Willette Hill, Seattle, Washington, Pamela Kelly, Columbus, Ohio, Wm. Arnold B. McClenon, Columbus, Ohio, Eunice McClenon, Detroit, Michigan and Kevin McClenon, Saginaw, Michigan; nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, twin sisters and a host of friends and relatives. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Wanda L. McClenon; his parents, Ben and Gussie McClenon; one brother, Herman Lee McClenon; stepson, Ronald Smith and a granddaughter. "For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness". Psalm 84:10

Deacon McClenon

June 1, 1925 - July 29, 2007