Willie Black

Willie Marvin Black - Age 89, of Flint, went to be with the Lord on October 3, 2025. Visitation will take place at 2:00PM until the time of service at 3:00PM Friday, October 10, 2025. at Bethel Baptist Church, 4494 N. Linden Rd, Flint. Inurnment will take place at a later date at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan.

" I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the Faith. "
- 2 Timothy 4:7

Willie was born on July 23, 1936, in Manila, Arkansas. He was the third oldest of five children. Willie left school at a young age and worked in the tobacco and cotton fields to help support his family after the loss of his father.

Willie was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army and wore his dog tags and Army hat every day. He loved his family deeply and took his role as a son, brother, dad, uncle, and grandfather seriously-always making sure his loved ones knew how much he cared for them.

A hard worker and a jack of all trades, Willie loved sharing stories about his travels and days playing in his band. He enjoyed singing and playing guitar, often turning everyday moments into songs. Many will remember him driving his ice cream truck for Hav-A-Bar, where he was known to give free ice cream to children who didn’t have money-often spending more than he made.

Willie also loved ringing the bell for the Salvation Army each Christmas, growing out his beard so he could look more like Santa for the children. He enjoyed driving the van for the senior center and making new friends everywhere he went. Selfless and kind, Willie lived simply, loved Jesus, and let that love shine through in every decision he made. He was truly the world’s best dad and grandfather, and he will be missed dearly.

Willie leaves behind to cherish his memory his only child, Diana Black, and son-in-law, Joseph Villagomez; his granddaughters, Amanda (Kris) Black-Nau, Candace (Tony) Avila, Brooke (Mike) Stair, and Chrissi Mealor; and nine great-grandchildren, Kaiden, Jace, Antonio, Kristopher, Trevor, Sophia, Aurora, Cameron, and Corinne. He is also survived by his sisters, Phyllis (Dale) McMullen-Roe and Joan (Doug) McBean; his nieces and nephews Gary Jr, Wayne, TJ, Melissa, Joanie, Jerry, Johnny, Peter, Mark, David, Chuck, Tom, and Sherry; his favorite cousin, Jack Robinson; and his five “bonus children,” Shelia, Julie, Sonny, Jimmy, and Ronnie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Hazel Black; his sister, Frieda Urban; his brother, Chuck Black; nephews, Timmy and Kenny and Brothers Jerry and Gary McMullen.

You were everything good,
A light in the dark
God took away your pain
But broke our hearts
Your memory remains in all that we do
We were so blessed to be loved by you.