Willie Earl Mason "Bill"

Son of Jim and Minnie Slaughter Mason, Willie “Bill” Earl Mason was born July 8, 1940, and made his transition to be with the Lord on the morning of January 15, 2024. In Saginaw, Michigan.

As a young adult in search of a more inclusive and prosperous lifestyle, Willie moved from Union, Mississippi, to Chicago, Illinois, along with his beautiful bride, Mattie, and son, Anthony. In Chicago, his love for Rhythm and Blues was elevated as he performed all around Chicago with his band. He played an electric guitar like the one BB King played, and his music sounded like BB’s, as well. A few years after welcoming their daughter, Judith, Willie decided to move his family to Saginaw, Michigan, where he was hired by Saginaw Steering Gear and later, retired from General Motors. Upon his retirement, he spent most of his time tending to his garden, being a landlord for his son’s apartments, meeting friends for breakfast, and being the best grandfather in the world to his grandchildren.

Willie never met a stranger. His family will remember him as a hard worker, avid griller, construction guru, movie connoisseur, and family comedian, who could put a smile on anyone’s face with little effort. But above all else, all will remember him as a compassionate man who loved the Lord and cared deeply about his family and friends.

He is survived by his loving and caring wife and matriarch of the family, Mattie Mason; children, Judith (John Jr.) Ford, Willie “Anthony” (Kinesha) Mason, Bobby Joe (Rose) Johnson; grandchildren, Carla Jordan, John III (Kierya) Ford, Jazzae (Karl) Finley, Willow Mason, Winter Mason, Alexxandria Braddock, and Cory Dixon; and two beautiful great-grands on the way: great-granddaughter, Kaiani Finley and great-grand God-son, Judah Malone; uncle, Walter Slaughter; in-laws, Wilbert (Ella) Windham, William (Shirley) Windham, Maddie (John) Wilson, Mary Baber, and Ardella Jackson; nieces, Helen Amos, Dorothy Jones, Delois Thames, Linda Crawford, Ruth Talley, Laura Hickman, and Gloria Rushing; nephews, NJ Franklin, Charles Mason, James Mason, and Danny Mason and a host of friends, cousins, and great-nieces and nephews.

Willie is preceded in death by his parents, aunts, uncles, some nieces and nephews, and all of his siblings and their spouses: Lessie Franklin, Eliza (James) Amos, Emmer (Jim) Gladney, James (Janie) Mason, Annie Norman, and Baby Girl Mason. Willie was the last one standing.

The family thanks you for all your love and prayers.