Willie joined the U.S. Army and fought in the Korean War, faithfully sending
funds to support his mother and younger siblings still living at home. Moving
quickly through the army ranks, he was honorably discharged as a Specialist
Third Class and returned stateside.
At that time, the south held little promise for a successful army man who
had come to understand that hard work, regardless of skin color, could and
should be recognized. He moved to Washington, D.C. to explore new
opportunities and to be near his oldest sister, Lonnie. After completing his
GED, Willie began training to join the Metropolitan Police Force in 1958.
About that time, Lonnie introduced him to a lovely woman, Dorcie Reid, who
became his wife in late November 1958. Two daughters were born to them:
Nina and Renee. After 20 years, Sergeant Willie retired from the D.C. Police
to pursue creative and entrepreneurial endeavors. Notable among these
experiences was the opening of a Produce Market, serving as head of the
Security Team at Bethesda Baptist Church and working as a U.S. Marshall for
the Department of Justice.
Willie was a force of nature, determined to provide for his family to the
best of his ability. He was also an accomplished handyman and took
tremendous pride in his ability to do most repairs and installations around the
house. These talents blessed many neighbors and friends, and extended to
his church family at Bethesda Baptist where he was a parishioner for over 60
years.
Willie was predeceased by his wife of 45 years, Dorcie; his mother and
father Frierson and Celia Pope; his siblings Lonnie Nelson, Frank Edward
Pope and Bennie Will Pope. He is survived by his daughters, Nina Pope and
Renee Klopfenstien (Chad), seven grandchildren and his siblings Eddie Pope
of Frankfurt Germany, Christina Becton (Herbert) and Molly Pope of St. Louis,
Hallie Ann Pope of Memphis, his first cousin Louis Oliver Barry of Columbus,
and his long-time caregiver and family friend, Alice Bowser.
"There will never be another Mr. Pope."
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.8.18