Life Memories

A Time to Be Born….

Willie Matthew Blanding, Jr. our Husband, Father, Oldest brother and Oldest grandchild on both sides of the family at age 74 departed his earthly life on Friday, October 16, 2020 in South Carolina his birth place. Lil Willie was born July 21, 1946, to the late Willie Matthew Blanding, Sr. and Clara Wilson in Rafting Creek Sumter County, South Carolina.

Bill, as he was affectionately known, was the first of five children born to this union. Our Brother Willie was an only child for the first 11 years of his life. With that said, as the oldest Willie became a brother / father figure to us all. Our baby sister Juanita Maria Blanding preceded our brother in death.

Willie began his education in the Sumter County Public School System where he lived until age 9. Upon moving to Philadelphia Willie attended Hanna Elementary, Shoemaker Middle and Overbrook High Schools. To assist financially at home and to finance his path to college our big brother Willie entered and served our country through the United State Air Force in Vietnam.

A Time to Serve….Chumuga want to use in this space don’t know the spelling & Studied Martial Arts Earning Black Belt – Don’t know the style he studied 

Our big brother Willie entered and served in Vietnam. Through the Air Force he was afforded the opportunity to travel and experience the following places__________________________

Willie used the GI Bill to attend and graduate from Temple University in 1972 where he studied elementary education. Our mother always proudly noted the love, dedication and high standard Willie had for his students, always keeping on hand clothes and hygiene products to give his less fortunate students.   

During Willie’s years in the service and for many years to follow, he student weight lifting and martial art where he received the status of Black Belt in Kenpo Karate.

Unfortunately, during the time Willie served his country he engaged with chemicals that had a slow continuously negative effect upon his health, forcing his early retirement from the career he so Loved. His departure from the Air Force was honorable and grew to included 100% disabled.

 A Time for Love….

Love at First Sight, \"Willie was one of only a few Black male teachers at Robert Morris Elementary School, he was coveted by many of the female teachers there, but upon the arrival of Roslyn Richardson, Willie was awe struck! That day leaving school to visit his Dad and Mom to report he had met the woman he was going to marry. Willie and Ros dated until they married on April 10, 1976. The Creator blessed this union with three children, oldest to youngest Saleem, Will, and Keisha.

Our parents were united in marriage for 44 years with interruptions, but, in the words of our Grandma/Matriarch “What God has for You is for You”, we are eternally grateful True Love Always. The Love they shared was reignited and Willie and Ros fell in love all over again to be reunite and continue in marriage. As both became ill, sickness could not keep they apart either they became roommates in their long-term care facility. In addition to the love given to us, his children and family; as a school teacher our Daddy’s love, hand’s and footprint’s are far-reaching as he taught for ___ year and planted seeds of wisdom to all blessed to cross his path. Our Granddad retired from the School District of Philadelphia.

A Time to Give….Need help with the things done beyond Retirement

Following his retirement

A Time to Educate ….

As a little boy, our grandmother shared with us how our father got great pleasure from siting and reading the dictionary daily. Our father was a self-taught Etymologist. Dad was a heavy Jeopardy fan. We encouraged him to go on the show because he’d answer almost all the questions correct every show, Smartest man we’ve ever known. 

Willie Matthew Blanding, Jr., our Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Uncle, Cousin, Friend and Neighbor walked the walk and talked the talk of a Warrior

As his children we pray Daddy is proud of who we have grown to become.

A Time for Friendships & Rest….

On December 19, 1954, Willie an only child at the time, moved to 1674 North 56^th Street with his parents Willie and Clara to be the third Black family to reside in what became a tightly woven community of families.

In his retirement years, our father taught himself to play the guitar and dove dip into studying the guitar masters of his favorite music genre, “The Blue”. He especially enjoyed Blind Blake, Mance Lipscomb and Rev. (Blind) Gary David.

Unfortunately, our current reality with COVID-19 protocols and restrictions robbed our father and family of the healing fellowship that come with surrounding and cocooning Willie our father and brother with our physical presence and expressions of love the Creator gifted as a family tradition.

Our Patriarch’s journey ended here on earth Friday, October 16, 2020. Willie Matthew Blanding, Jr The Measure of This Man’s Legacy Continues.

A Native American Poem which Willie found and dedicated to his Dad with whom he treasured reads in part; A Warrior’s Open Letter to Death, “When you are finished, you will have to stop and take a breath, You’ll know it was a Warrior That has just battled Death, See you somewhere down the road, On that cold, lonely night, I am not afraid for I know it Will be my last good fight.

Willie Matthew Blanding, Jr. leaves to cherish his precious memories Wife - Roslyn Delores Blanding; three Children - Saleem Dominick Daniels Blanding, Will Menelik Blanding (Rayza), Keisha Blanding Yancey (Naas); fourteen Grandchildren - Tyrese Graham, Dominick Daniels, Laylaa Daniels, Ibtisaam Daniels, Illyaas Daniels, Brooke Adelita Blanding, Aniyalize Alexis Ruberte –Blanding, Gavin Rene Blanding, Roslyn Marie Blanding, Joseph Matthew Blanding, Will Menelik Blanding Jr., Logan Naas Yancey, Olivia Renee Yancey

One Great-Grandchild; = Serenity Graham; Two Sisters - Terri Lee Blanding-Skinner, Pamela Lynn Blanding-Godbolt; One Brother - Clifford Charles Blanding; Two Sisters /Aunts - Annie Wilson, and Theresa Dinkins and Willie Blanding One Aunt-in-laws - Rebecca Blanding; Ten Nieces & Nephews - a multitude of cousins, friends, neighbors and students, three Best Friends/Brothers - James (Cowboy) Flowers, Ernest Sumpter, and Thomas Purdue.