Willie Dewell Blanks

Willie Dewell Blanks was born on February 11th, 1948, in Benton Harbor, Michigan to the late Dewell and Rosie Blanks. Willie graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1966. He had a love for fishing, roller skating, and playing Bid Whist, and had a good eye for fashion. He spent part of his life in the military and after leaving the military he became an entrepreneur. Later, he dedicated his life as a baptized Witness of Jehovah on June 21st, 1975, and he would preach to anyone he met. If you were in his presence, you weren't leaving him without a word quoted from the Bible. Whether the situation was good or bad, Willie had a strong reliance on Jehovah. All those who knew Willie knew of his giving spirit, he was always thinking of others even when he was sick. The last two years of his life, he volunteered in the full-time ministry as a Regular Pioneer and attended Pioneer School to enhance his preaching skills. His comment after attending was "it was the best experience"!

Willie departed this life on August 2nd, 2023. He was preceded in death by his Mother Rosie Blanks McAllister, Father Dewell Blanks, Step Father Clarence McAllister, Brothers Tyrone “Tony” Blanks, Michael Blanks Sr. and Carl Morris, Sisters Rosie Murkey, and Doris Joseph, Brother-In-Law Herman Hoskins.

Willie leaves to cherish his fond memories his daughters LaShanda Wilson, Tiffany Blanks, Sanara (Jordon) Jones; son Rodney Blanks; 14 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; special granddaughter Marquesha Moore, special great granddaughter Lauren Friend, stepchildren Shervanique (Harry) Thomas, Jermon Bloch, and Terrill Blanks; brother Samuel Blanks; sisters Elosie Hoskins, Elaine Morris, Lisa (Carl) Vary; and Beverly Morris; Stepmothers Augusta Blanks and Mary McAllister; aunts Lula (Joe) Carpenter, Olivia Glass and Angelean Glass, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. 

His favorite scripture was:

John 17:3- “This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.”

We will miss you and wait for the day that the Bible speaks of, “Just a little while longer”

 “The hour is coming,” “in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.”- John 5:28, 29.

 See you in paradise!

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Willie Dewell Blanks, please visit our floral store.