Willie C. Grant (Lansing)

Mr. Willie “Clarence” Grant passed away Thursday, December 24, 2020, at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing Campus in Lansing, Michigan. Age 75 years. He was born on August 27, 1945 to his loving parents, Lizzie B. Grant and Ulysses Grant in Covington, Tennessee.

Willie graduated from high school in Tipton County, Tennessee. He moved to Elria, Ohio, where he was a truck driver for a short while. Willie then moved to Lansing, Michigan obtaining employment at Fisher Body as an assembly worker for several years. Willie evidently went to work for the State of Michigan Department of Transportation as a heavy equipment operator. After working there for 21 years, he retired in 1999. He met his wife, Pauline Rolon in 1970 and they married in 1981. They had one child together, Soroyia Simpkins and together raised stepchildren, Charmaine Hawkins, Sherri Rolon, Anthony Rolon, and Patrick Rolon. Willie was a motorcyclist and an avid car show participant with his prized possession, the 1982 Short Box Lowrider. He has won well over 100 trophies and prizes. Willie enjoyed having coffee with first cousin, William “Hoss” Payne. He also enjoyed listening to Rhythm and Blues and occasional rap. In his spare time, he enjoyed meeting with car club friends at least three times a week and he enjoyed working on cars.

Clarence leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Pauline; children, Soroyia, Terry & Patricia of Tennessee, Darren, Derrick & Kevin of Lansing, stepchildren, Charmaine, Sherri, Anthony, and Patrick; grandchildren, Brittany Smith, Bria Smith, Brandon Simpkins, Dajuan Simpkins, Niesha Yarbrough, Jamari Walker, Rashawn Molden, Marquan Rolon, Jasmine Woods, Tionna Davis, Olajuwan Hatcher, Patrick Rolon, and Lorenzo Rolon; many great-grandchildren, who adoringly called him PAP-PAP; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lizzie B. Grant and Ulysses Grant.