Willie Herron Sr

Reverend Willie James Herron, Sr. was born January 25, 1953 in Clayton, Alabama; the oldest of eight children to the late Harvey Lee Herron, Sr. and Sarah Isabel Henry Herron. He was called to his eternal rest on May 18, 2014 at UT Southwestern St. Paul Hospital, Dallas, Texas.
He was baptized and became a member of the Elam Baptist Church at an early age. He attended Barbour County High School and Graduated from George C. Wallace High School in May 1971.
Willie enlisted into the United States Army in 1971 and served his Country for 22 years as a gifted signalman. He served on tour o duty in Korea and two tours of duty in Germany. He retired from the military in August 1993. For the last 21 years, he has worked for Union Pacific Railroad as a signalman where he had planned to retire from this year.
He made his home here in Fort Worth, Texas over 20 years ago. He joined the Valley Missionary Baptist Church of Haltom City Texas. During his many years at Valley Missionary Baptist Church he served faithfully as a Deacon for many years and most recently as Youth Pastor. Willie was united in marriage to Josephine Sheppard Herron and from this union they were blessed with four children and adopted son.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory: his loving wife of 38 years, Josephine Herron and five children; his daughter Melony Herron; his sons, Petty Officer First Class Willie J. Herron, Jr. and wife Atsuko (Navy Recruiting Station Albuquerque, New Mexido, SFC, Charles Herron and wife Brittney (stationed in London England), James Burton (Eufala, Alabama) and Tony Daniel and wife Octavia (Fort Worth, Texas), five brothers; three sisters, Theotis Herron (Linnie) of Columbus, Ga; Harvey L. Herron, Jr. (Naomi) of Fayetteville, NC; Hayward I. Herron, (Clara) of Eufaula, AL; James E. Herron (Charlette) of Phoenix City, AL; Sarah N. Herron Murphy (Eddie) Fayetteville, NC; Mary Herron Turner (Corky) of Huntsville, Al; Dannie L. Herron (Shontail) of Fayetteville, NC; and Brenda Austin of Eufaula, AL.
He leaves behind an extended family Nettie Hudson of Konxville, TN, Jennetta Dawson of Haynes City, Fl; Geraldine Moore of Statesville NC., Grady McClendon of Eufaula Alabama, Develma McClindon of Eufaula AL. Christine and Caroline McClendon of Columbus, GA., Richard McClendon of Columbus GA., Mac A McClendon of Lufkin GA., and Raymond McClendon of Philadelphia PA. He leaves 10 beautiful fun loving grandchildren; Jadus, Sakura, Gabrile, Kyia, Kaitlin, Bryene, Hayden, Lynden, Daphyne and a very special cousin/ son Marvin Herron (Monica) of Midland, GA.; tow very special adopted daughters Bridget Carter of Montgomery, AL., and Brandy Lynch of Wiley, Texas; his second mom in life Nettie Herron Richardson of Utica, NY and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins and close friends.

Willie James Herron Sr. Is a husband, father, grandfather (affectionately called “Popi”), brother and uncle. And almost any other relative definition =one can be described. Not to mention soldier, foremen and minister. But most of all he is a strong, stern God fearing man. That truly experienced God’s greatest gift, the gift of love and we can see present here today. There is a well-known quote by Dr. Orison Swett Marden that says, “Success is not measured by what you accomplish but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds.”
How wonderful and proud is a man of humble beginnings that used those very humble beginnings not as an opposition but as an influence. An influence he used on wedding date, “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be on flesh”, Ephesians 5:31. He took the hands of Josephine and the two became one. To this union three biological children were born Melody, Willie Jr. And Charles but a father to many….. Using the same humble influence, Willie did not take his fathering duties lightly; he was a firm believer in Proverbs 13:24, everyone knows what the verse says. Being a husband and fatherhood is a challenge all in its own but yet he takes on another challenge, “But I have written every boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering aas a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit”, Romans 15:15-16. Rev. Herron took his gift love and grace that he so graciously received and shared it with others not just a void speaker but an active participant. Many times sharing with others from a much needed meal and other acts of compassion to giving words of wisdom. Rev. Herron whole heartedly gave of his mind, heart and soul in everything he put forth effort to do.
“But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more, Luke 12:48. Much was required of our dear Willie James Herron, Sr., But he stood with courage, poise and honor. As a positive influence to others as a husband, father and leader to all that have the privilege to know him. May his legacy continue for many generations to come through Jadus, Sakura, Gabriel, Bria….