Willie Marie Hanley

Willie Marie Hanley said ‘see ya later’ on November 8, 2021, at 8:30 in the morning in Lancaster, Texas with her eldest at her beside. Born in Kerens, Texas on a windy, frosty day of 39 degrees she was wrapped in the warmth of her parents, Bitmon and Pearlie V. Henry’s love… a love enduring beyond their passing.

Willie Marie grew up in Pelham, Texas originally known as Fork of the Creeks, a small farm community founded by freed slaves. Her paternal grandparents were among the early settlers.

As the community flourished, so did she, growing up in a Christian home, confessing a hope in Christ at an early age while attending Brown’s Chapel AME Church.

After graduating high school, she went on to pursue higher education, until her first husband, Marion D. Bunton enticed her away. She made up for being raised as an only child as she and Marion had seven children: Evelina (Edward), Anita (Alex), Marion Jr. (Laurie), Anthony, Elizabeth (deceased), James (Janelle), and Kathy.

Willie Marie had an infectious smile that translated into all she did and to all she knew. Once she smiled at you it was impossible not to smile back. Raising seven children and being married to a Solider traveling around the world, was no small feat but she did manage to carve out some time for herself to enjoy 2 of her favorite hobbies. One was sewing which definitely came in handy with 7 children. Her sewing abilities learned and taught no doubt by her mother are evident in one of her daughter’s weddings as she and a family friend made all the dresses. The hobby she was most passionate about however was bowling. Willie never met a bowling alley she didn’t like and never missed a tournament until she became to ill to continue which ran well into her 80’s.

With all that said, she was a Licensed Practical Nurse administering care to our Military Veterans as a Civil Servant until an unfortunate accident rendered her inactive in her profession until officially retired by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management in 2020 after more than 25 years of service.

Willie Marie travelled to several foreign countries and Texas cities, eventually settling in El Paso, Texas where she met her second husband, Robert Hanley (deceased). They relocated to San Bernadino County California to spend their golden years where she united with Loveland Church, Fontana, California. During her time in Lancaster, she was in watch care at the Eden Worship Center, Carrollton. Willie Marie loved the Lord and was active in several church ministries until her failing health no longer allowed her to do so.

Willie Marie was also preceded in death by her first born grandchild, Ebony Marie, and great granddaughter, infant Jaycee. In addition to her children, she leaves to cherish her loving memory, seventeen grandchildren, thirty great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives, and friends.

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