Willie B. Lovelace

Willie B. Lovelace (Bubba) was born on August 15, 1933 to the late Annie and Fred Lovelace in Wabash, Arkansas.  He was the second child of four and his parents only son. He attended McNeil High School in Crawfordsville, AR. Willie came to visit family in Gary, IN for spring break in 1952 and he never left.

He got his first job at the A&P in Gary, Indiana; he would go onto work at Youngstown Sheet and Tube (LTV Steel) in East Chicago, IN. He entered the company as an Electrical Bridge Crane Operator.

In July of 1955, Willie was drafted into the United States Army the age of 21; he would go on to be awarded the National Defense Service Medal while serving in Germany.  

Willie loved the lord and was an avid reader of his word; he was a member of The Church of the Living God, the Pillar Ground of Truth, in Harvey, IL where Elder John Thomas is Pastor and his late mother served as the church mother. The church is also where he would meet Oleather Harrell in 1959. Willie and Oleather were married in Dixmoor, IL in June of 1960 at the home of Oleathers’ Aunt & Uncle, Edith and Bennie Holloway. To their union six children were born. The Lovelace family lived in both Phoenix and Harvey, IL.

Willie would go on to obtain his HVAC certification from Coyne Institute in 1963 and became a local Mr. fix it. He began fixing televisions then heating and cooling for both residential and businesses in the Harvey area. Multicraft Electrical Heating & Cooling stayed in business for over 30 years. Mr. Lovelace, as he was known, became a pillar in the community he lived in and proudly served. In 1971 after suing the Mill where he worked, Willie was finally transferred into the Refrigeration department were he would work as a Technician until he retired after 37 years of service with one company.

Among many things, Willie enjoyed attempting to play the guitar, listening to blues and gospel music, and fellowshipping with his community who all grew to be more like family. Willie Lovelace was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, landlord, electrician, business owner, union member,  Cubs fan, Veteran, employer, and a friend.

On July 23rd 2018, heaven gained another angel as Willie was called home. Proceeding him in death and awaiting his arrival no more are his parents; Annie and Fred, wife; Oleather, two sisters; Freddie and Aquilla Lovelace, two daughters; Sonjia and Celestine, and grandson; Sergeant Albert Ware.

Cherishing his life, love, and laughter on this side he leaves his sister; Oberia, children; Fred (Sharon), Cheryl, Anna(Thomas), Trinette, and Dwight (Brenda), grandchildren; Joshua (Tomeka), Romale (Giovanna), Shaqueta (Alex), Sheena, Ciatta, Raven, Clinton, and Isiah, nine great grandchildren, an extended family at Turlington West Senior Building in Harvey, and a host of beloved extended family and friends.

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