Deacon Willie Graham, Jr., was born to Ruby Pride Graham and Willie Graham, Sr., on May 29, 1932, in Tallahassee, FL, where he also spent the first eighteen years of his life. He attended the local public schools and graduated from the old Lincoln High School that prepared him for his new beginning in Miami, FL. Soon after he relocated there, he found employment as an auto mechanic at a local gas station. As time progressed, he was hired by the Miami-Dade School System to be the head custodian at Floral Heights Elementary School, a position at which he worked tirelessly, rendering 35 years of dedicated service to ensure the campus was clean and beautiful.

Deacon Graham loved the Lord and faithfully served Him in his daily life. At age 18, he was ordained a deacon at Greater Israel Bethel Primitive Baptist Church in Miami, FL, a responsibility he accepted with great honor and much delight. Whenever he relocated after his career retirement, he always re-established church memberships—Little St. Mary Primitive Baptist Church (Tallahassee), Glorious Hope Primitive Baptist Church (Ocala), Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church (Eustis), and St. Hawthorne Primitive Baptist Church (Ocala). His dedicated service of 70 years did not go unnoticed, for he was honored on numerous occasions by the National Primitive Baptist Church Association.

Deacon Graham loved the time he spent with his extended family members. He enjoyed holiday gatherings, the family traditions they shared, and the opportunity to create lasting memories for the younger generations. Most of all, he instilled in them the importance of love for family.

In addition to dedicating himself to his career, Christian duty, and family, Deacon Graham thoroughly enjoyed perfecting his skills in bowling, which earned him the distinction as a professional bowler. He traveled to tournaments throughout the United States and brought home numerous honors, awards, and trophies that attested to his skill and professionalism.

On Sunday, February 14, 2021, Deacon Graham fulfilled his promise to serve the Lord with gladness and relocated to his heavenly home over in Zion, where he can serve Him forever.

Preceding him in death were his parents: Willie and Ruby Pride Graham, daughter: Linda Denise Graham, and grandson: Tyshon Brown, Sr.

Cherishing the legacy of his love and well-lived life are his children: Cheryl Graham (Gregory) Brown and Reginald Lydell (Kim) Graham, Sr.; grandchildren: Reginald (Veronica) Graham, Jr., Ryan (Julisa) Graham, Tawanna (Jerry Francis) Graham, and David Gerard; great-grandchildren: Tyshon Brown, Jr., Daniel Brown, Jeremiah Maxwell, Tytiana Dawkins, Ryla Graham, Carl Garard, and Jada Francis; great-great-grandchildren: Avamarie Brown, Rachiana Brown, and Imani Brown; special nephew and niece: Rev. James Vaughn, Jr., and Sybil Vaughn; godchildren: Lori Hadley Davis, April Pitts, Kidada Jefferson, Khristia Ingram, Tamira Horn, and Camila Casaway; and a host of other loving yet sorrow- ing relatives, church family, and friends.