Willie E. Hudson

 To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. 

Willie Earnest Hudson “Wally”/“Buddy” was born April 25, 1928, in Coffeeville, Mississippi to the late John and Nora Hudson. He departed this life to be with the Lord on November 12, 2020, following a brief illness. 

Willie was employed by Auto Specialist for over 35 years. Upon retiring, he worked part-time on Elmer Farley’s farm for approximately 15 years. Willie was married to the late Lillie Mae Washington Hudson for 60 years.

 Their family consisted of 3 daughters, Esterlean ( Jetson Jr) Alexander, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Freda (John) Evans, and LaVetta (Byron) White of Benton Harbor, MI; four sons, Pastor Kerwin ( Joyce) Hudson, Coloma, MI, Tyrone (Shirley) Hudson, Grand Rapids, MI, Rodney (Penelope) Hudson and Arvell (Tashia) Hudson of Benton Harbor; thirty-eight grandchildren, thirty-one great-grandchildren, and twenty-three great- great-grandchildren. 

Willie was a lifelong member of Union Memorial AME Church where he was a member of the Male Chorus, Usher Board, and Senior Club. 

Willie loved Hunting, caring for his hunting dogs, fishing, gardening, and spending time with his family. In his younger days, he would take his nephews, Quentin and Michael Parker along with his sons, Kerwin, Tyrone, Rodney, and Arvell hunting. Quentin and Kerwin dropped out and they left the others to carry the sack.

 Willie was preceded in death by his wife, Lillie Hudson, his parents John and Nora Hudson, four sisters, Florette Hudson Parker, Mary Evelyn Hudson, Vera “PeeWee” Hudson Herrion, Omia Jean Hudson, and Joyce Nell Hudson Butler; three brothers Johnnie, Charles and Kenneth Hudson.

 Willie leaves to cherish his memory his children, two brothers Edward (Rosie) Hudson of Benton Harbor, MI and Calvin (Gloria) Hudson of Chicago, IL, one sister in law, Dorothy Hudson of Benton Harbor, MI, one brother-in-law, Earnest (Freda) Washington of Benton Harbor, MI. and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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