Deacon Willie Clarence English, Sr., 82, of Gainesville, entered the sunset of life on Sunday, August 1, 2021 at Haven E. T. York Hospice Care Center, Gainesville. The son of Tommie and Lizzie English, he was born on Sunday, July 16, 1939 in Kathleen GA. He was educated in the Houston County GA School System. In his early years, the English family relocated to Palatka. Willie was a longtime employee at Best Packers Meat Market working in the warehouse and as a truck driver. Deacon English was a loyal servant leader, former Trustee and Chairman of Deacon's Board, and Sunday School Superintendent at 2 ^nd Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church, San Mateo.

In 2001, he and his family relocated to Tampa. He was employed by Hillsborough County School District as a Crossing Guard Supervisor, retiring in 2014. He was a member of Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church of Tampa, where he served faithfully as a Deacon, President of the Male Chorus, and member of the Security Ministry. Due to declining health, he moved to Gainesville, Florida to be close to his children.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in eternal rest by his daughter, Pamela Lumpkin; sisters, Delois Johnson and Cora L. Telfair; brothers, Ernest L. English and Sylvester English.

Deacon English leaves to cherish & remember his memories of love: sons and daughters, Willie C. English Jr., Gainesville; Wileen C. English, Gainesville; Thelma (Willie) English-Redic, Newberry; Christine Jackson, Tampa; Loretta Raynor, Cocoa Beach; Fred (Renee) Jackson, Louisville, KY; loving sister, Annie L. English, Warner Robins, GA; sisters-in-law,  Rebecca English, Warner Robins, GA; Addie Fuce, Jacksonville; brothers-in-law, Roy Johnson and Woodrow Telfair, both of Warner Robins, GA; Joe Fuce, New Haven, CT; James (Claretha) Washington, New Haven, CT; best friend, Jimmy Clyde, Tampa; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

(Mandatory CDC guidelines for social distancing and masks required): Visitation of family and friends will be 4-6 p.m., Friday, August 6; Celebration of Life will be 1 p.m., Saturday, August 7, at "Flagg's Chapel of Serenity." Reverend James McGriff, Pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church, is the eulogist. Interment will be in Pattersonville Memorial Cemetery, East Palatka.