Willie James Young's Obituary
Mr. Willie James Young, 74 of Forestville, MD entered eternal rest on Saturday, January 11, 2025, peacefully in his sleep. He was born August 30, 1950 to the union of James & Elizabeth R. Young in Clinton, SC. Willie is a graduate of Clinton High School Class of 1968 where he was one of the first black students to integrate Clinton High before the mandatory integration of schools in Laurens County. He was baptized in his teen years at Hebron Baptist Church, Clinton, SC and attended Spirit of Love Deliverance Baptist Church, Capital Heights, MD. While in high school, he started his mortician interest at Thompson & Sons Funeral Home with the late Benjamin Thompson. He moved to Washington, DC and received an Associate’s Degree in Mortician & Autopsy Sciences. Willie was the founder and owner of Dieners Autopsy Services and was employed by The National Institutes of Health (NIH) – National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, MD. He was an Autopsy Assistant and performed daily autopsies and other medical duties in the Laboratory of Pathology for over 30 years. Willie became Board Certified and received many awards and accolades from his employees & colleagues at NIH. He loved his job and was a dedicated worker performing many overtime and weekend hours.
Willie will be remembered as a devoted companion, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, friend and neighbor. He was a gentle spirit with a kind heart and infectious smile, who exuded professionalism and everlasting love for his family and friends. He leaves to cherish his precious memories, a devoted companion, life and domestic partner, Thomye Cave, Fort Washington, MD, his daughters, Tijuana (Kendrick) Wormley, Clinton, SC, Pamela Cunningham, Mauldin, SC, Ursula (Bert) Miller Patterson, Rock Hill, SC, Monique (Gregg) Jennings Smith, Columbia, SC, step-daughter, Renee Tillman, Charlotte, NC ; his loving sister, Shirley (Jimmy) Jenkins, Clinton, SC; two brothers James Gilliam, Clinton, SC & Curtis Young, Woodbridge, VA; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren, 4 aunts, Viola Chambers, Clinton, SC, Nancy Martin, Clinton, SC, Aurelia Peake & Polly Calhoun, Washington, DC; one uncle, Henry Calhoun, Washington, DC; 6 nieces; 2 nephews, 1 great niece and 4 great nephews; a host of cousins, other relatives and dear friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his maternal grandparents, Elder Lester & Lula Rice; paternal grandparents, Jackson & Tensie Long Young; several devoted uncles and dear cousins.
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