Mr. Willie James Underwood

Mr. Willie James Underwood was born December 3, 1930 in Union Springs, AL, the son of Walter and Mary (Lumpkins) Underwood. He passed away on Sunday, August 11, 2019 at the age of 88 years. Mr. Underwood was a resident of Saginaw, MI since 1952 and a high school graduate. He was a member of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church and the Male Chorus. He was a retiree of GM-Grey Iron Metal Casting Plant in Saginaw, MI. He was a magical motivator who made everyone feel important – those who didn’t want to work went the extra mile for Willie and didn’t even know why!!! His hobbies and interests were motor bikes, antique cars, traveling, playing cards, baseball, basketball and cooking bar-b-que. Willie was a member of the Lions Club for 41 years and he was the President from 2004 to 2005. Willie Underwood and Mattie Calhoun were the founders of the Alabama Reunion Club and he was the treasurer for 38 years. He leaves to cherish his memory, his daughter, Jeanette Underwood, Atlanta, GA; his son, Larry James Underwood, Saginaw, MI; step-daughter, Shebby Hawkins; foster child, James Sewere, and many others; grandchildren, Richard Snead, Cheryl (Mike) Stringer, Elizabeth Hawkins, Pastor Jeffrey Hawkins, Flint, MI and Toni Askew, Alma, MI; sister, Nettie Jones; special nieces, May Woods, Bessie K. Underwood (Gary) Adams, Mary Carter, Pearl (Ernest) Bishop, Clarissa Underwood Snow, Dorothy Bell, Loudean Moultrie and many more; nephews, Jimmie Moultrie, Al (Cynetta) Moultrie, Walter (Ellen), Tom (Zelda), Clinton, Doc (Debra), Louis “Buddy” Aaron and many more; special cousins, Lela Faulk, Henry Lee and A R Andrews; sister-in-law, Rether McDowell; many other relatives and friends, including special friends, Helen Browning, Margaret Baniel, Ola Ray, David Conner, Cheryl Green, Flint, MI, Daniel Houston-Lions Club, David Dandy, B.L. Little, Lee McCray, Pete Jones and Jim Binder. Mr. Underwood was preceded in death by his parent, Walter and Mary Underwood; wife, Catherine Underwood; sisters, Louana Moultrie, Maragaree, Fannie Mae and Minnie Lee; brothers, Doc Underwood, George Underwood and Joe McCray; nephews, Henry Underwood, Homer Moultrie and Thomas Lee Underwood; sisters-in-law, L.T. Underwood and Sara Lee Underwood; brothers-in-law, Joe Moultrie and Eldrige Jones; and special friend, Henry McClellon. The family would like to express special thanks to The Lions Club of Buena Vista, Alabama Reunion Club, GM-Grey Iron Metal Casting Plant, Saginaw, MI and 1st Ward Old Timers Club. Funeral service will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 810 Cathay Street, Saginaw, MI 48601. Pastor Blake Strozier will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery, 3210 S. Washington Ave., Saginaw, MI 48601. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 N. Jefferson Ave., Saginaw, MI 48607 on Friday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. Family hour will take place from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m.

Mr. Willie James Underwood

December 3, 1930 - August 11, 2019