Willie Earl Edwards

Mr. Willie Earl Edwards passed away Sunday, March 30, 2008 at the age of 52, due to complications from asthma. He was born January 15, 1956, the son of the late Deacon Robert L. and Arty Edwards, in Kalamazoo, MI. Willie professed a hope in Christ and was baptized at an early age, at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He was a student in the Kalamazoo Public School system and later transferred to Hackett Catholic Central High School.. Willie was employed as an Information Technology Technician and worked in this capacity at the Pentagon in Arlington, VA, the Federal Center in Battle Creek, and as a self-employed contractor specializing in website design, computer graphics and system repair. He also taught computer classes for the Adult Education Centers in Kalamazoo and Portage. Willie was very outgoing with a humble and loving spirit. He enjoyed spectator sports and was an avid University of Michigan football fan. He loved traveling, old school music, and greatly enjoyed the time spent teaching and sharing his knowledge of computers with others. He will be forever remembered as an icon by his family and friends for his determination to live life to its fullest. In 1979, Willie married the late Debra Agnew and was later wed to DuMaresq Lockhart. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Lonnie Edwards. Mr. Edwards leaves to cherish his memory, his children, Angela Agnew, Yolanda, Danielle and Willie Edwards, Jr., of Memphis, TN, Alexander (Taneesha) Edwardsw, of Kalamazoo, and Nicholas and Audrey Lockhart-Edwards, of Montgomery Village, MD. Also, surviving are 13 grandchildren; brother, Paul Douglas Edwards; sisters, Selena (Larry) Irvin, Mildred (Melvin) Williams, Vernice (David) Jones, Shirley (Lorenzo) Zackery, and Paulette Brooks, Mr. Edwards also leaves a large and loving circle of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends, Kenny Shotwell, Scott Salters, Jalean Hunt and Glorius Phillips. Services will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, with a 12:00 Noon Family Hour at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Pastor Addis Moore, officiating. Friends may view 3-6 PM, Friday at the Harper Funeral Home, 521 Douglas Avenue, 342-1000. In lieu of flowers, the family requests sending donations to the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America Michigan Chapter, 17250 West Twelve Mile Road, Southfield, MI. Interment Riverside Cemetery. Send a message of comfort to the family of Mr. Willie E. Edwards on his guestbook at: www.harperfuneralhomeinc.com