Willie L. Harper

Willie Lee Harper was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi on November 26, 1939. He was raised by his father Claude Murry. Willie attended Oakland Technical High School in Oakland, California where he excelled academically serving as class Vice-President in 1958. Willie was also a talented athlete playing the position of Guard for his high school Football team and competed on the Track and Field team. Willie went on to achieve his Associates Degree in Human Services, a Bachelors Degree and a Masters of Social Work Degree.

In 1963, Willie enlisted in the United States Air Force as an Administrative Specialist and attended Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Leadership School. After serving in the Vietnam War, he honorably retired as a Staff Sergeant. Willie was very proud of his military service and was honored to serve his country. His devotion to serve guided him in his career as a Mental Health Therapist, Social Worker and Counselor helping diverse populations including the Omaha Indian Tribe of Nebraska.

On June 14, 1987, Willie was united in Holy Matrimony to his devoted wife, Beverly Ann Harper. Together they shared a loving, peaceful and faith-based life. In the early 1980’s Willie joined the Bethesda Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church and served as Sabbath School Superintendent. He later transferred his membership in 1987 to Sharon Seventh Day Adventist Church.   Willie was a long-time member of Sharon, who served as local Elder and in the past as Assistant Community Service Leader. He loved Sabbath School, church service and was a Prayer Warrior who looked forward to giving a testimony and prayer several times a week on Sharon’s Prayer Line. He loved his church family and was a faithful brother in Christ.

Willie loved traveling, photography, reading and was a life-time learner. He loved telling stories of his life adventures. Willie was kind and fun-loving and never met a stranger. He cherished his family and will be greatly missed.

Willie departed this life on February 10, 2023 after a long battle with illness. He is preceded in death by his father Claude Murry.

Willie Lee Harper lives to cherish his memory, his wife Beverly Ann Harper; daughter, Claudia Hill (George); step-daughter, Deborah Williams-Poe, and step-son, Eric Williams (Julie); grandchildren, Dorrell and Dekel Hill, Schyler Kellogg, Tayler Armstrong, Logan Williams, Roman Williams and Sarah Williams; brother and sister in laws, Robert Patterson (Sylvia), Barbara Robinson, Margaret Patterson, Carol Scarborough and Paula Kight; great grandchildren and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives, church family and friends.               

Visitation Friday 9 - 10 AM at church. Funeral Service 10:00 AM Friday (2/17/23) at Sharon Seventh-Day Adventist 3336 Lake St. Omaha.  Interment Omaha National Cemetery.   

Roeder Mortuary, Inc. - Ames Chapel

4932 Ames Ave - Omaha, NE - 402-453-5600

www.RoederMortuary.com