Willie Tyrone Hooks was born August 26, 1955 in Sheffield, Alabama, the 4th of 8 children born to Nell Pritchett (deceased). He moved to Seattle with his mother and 5 sisters: Yvonne, Norah, El-May (Minnie), Deborah (Day-Day), and Nell Elizabeth (dec.). His older brothers Judge and George moved to this area later.
Willie attended Garfield High School where he played basketball with the 1974 “Superdogs” team. His jersey now hangs in the gymnasium in tribute of the perfect season. He continued to maintain an active life, playing basketball for many years, using the Boeing gym and jogging the streets and trails in Renton and south Seattle areas.
Out of high school, Willie worked at a sandwich shop on Capitol Hill; his future wife April worked at another location and they met at a company party. While they were dating, Willie went to the Seed of Abraham Pentecostal Church at the invitation of a friend (so they would to leave him alone) and the pastor turned out to be his former neighbor, Prophetess Mattie J. Bass, whom he knew as a boy. He recalled she was often dressed in white and he frequently asked if he could perform an errand for her. Willie heard the call of Christ that night and told God if He saved him that he would serve Him all of his life, and both God and Willie kept that bargain.
Willie wanted a good paying job before he would ask April to be his wife. A friend who worked at Boeing personnel gave Willie an application and filed it for him; he worked 33 years for Boeing, retiring as a maintenance mechanic early 2014. He told people Boeing was a good company to work for, but some of the employees brought trials his way. In one incident, a fellow employee became enraged and charged at Willie. Willie raised his hands in self defense and when they were parted, the other guy had 2 black eyes. A supervisor fired Willie immediately, but when an investigation revealed the aggression was one-sided, Willie’s job was restored. Let God fight your battles, Jesus can work it out!
Willie married April in 1979 and they enjoyed 36 years together. Willie proved to be a faithful husband, an excellent father and doting Papa to his grandchildren. He enjoyed camping and traveling, meeting people and sharing Christ wherever he went.
Willie suffered from high blood pressure and had an enlarged heart, probably from his youth. His condition worsened in the last few years to where he was unable to enjoy his regular exercise routines. Willie underwent heart valve surgery last August. He enjoyed a few months of improved life quality in terms of his energy level and spent much time with his beloved grandchildren, reading God’s word and engaging in his “phone ministry”. Many people have reported a recent conversation with him where he encouraged them and fed into their spirit.
God showed mercy even as he took Willie from us. Willie often went for a walk with his headset on but he did not carry his identification with him. He did not own a cell phone. He lost consciousness and collapsed while visiting the Renton Community Center restroom and the police identified him from the truck registration. The mercy is evident: Willie did not collapse on the path away from his truck where identification would take longer, he did not feel his head hit the garbage can as he fell, the police did not phone April at work to deliver the news, nor did April discover Willie at home or wait into the night for him to come home. Willie stepped quickly from earth to glory. His wish to pass quickly was granted by our gracious Lord.
Willie is survived by his wife April, children Jeremiah (Michelle), Nehemiah and Genova (Stefan), and 5 grandchildren: Stefan Jr, Jaylen, Xavier, Mia, Cameron.