Rev. Willie James Wilson

Reverend Willie James Wilson, of Huntsville, formerly of Gadsden, Alabama, passed from death to life on Saturday, October 5, 2024. He was 93. Reverend Wilson was born September 23, 1931 in Gadsden, Alabama, the son of Jesse and Ada (Lipscomb) Wilson.

As a young teenager, Reverend Wilson enlisted in the army and served his country in the Korean War serving as a Sergeant. He was awarded the Korean Service medal with three Bronze Service Stars and the United Nations Service Medal. Following his service, he moved to Youngstown, Ohio. In Ohio, he met and married Norma Estella Bell (preceded him in death), and to this union their five children were born. He gave his life to Christ at Phillip's Chapel C.O.G.I.C. in 1969. He accepted his call to ministry in 1971.

Reverend Wilson with earnest and vigilance served the church. He preached salvation and
hope to inmates at local prisons, he shared the gospel whilst participating in street corner
ministries, and worked tirelessly in the nursing home ministry. Reverend Wilson answered the
call to pastor a church where the focus would be faith in God's promises. The scripture
Hebrews 11:1 was the foundation. The name of that church was Faith & Deliverance C.O.G.I.C.

Later after relocating back to Gadsden, he pastored Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Centre,
Alabama. Reverend Wilson married Carrie Rebecca Carlisle in September of 2003. Mother
Becky’s adult children (Anthony, Sharon, and Pastor Willie King), became a part of the Wilson
family along with foster sons Job and Charles Carter. Reverend Wilson later became a
member of The Tabernacle Church in Gadsden. He served faithfully under Pastor Don Arnold
(church founder) and then Pastor Tommy Marshall. It was at The Tabernacle that he served
as an Associate Pastor and Elder for twenty-five years. There he taught an adult Sunday
school class, entitled, “Overcomers”. He also taught a Monday night faith class. Reverend
Wilson wrote two books, "I'm Healed", where he shared his testimony of being healed of
multiple sclerosis and "Faith Steps," where he detailed the process of increasing one’s faith.
With seemingly no end to his vigor, he further contributed to The Gadsden Times newspaper
in a monthly column entitled, "Paper Pulpit," In one such instance, Reverend Wilson exclaimed,

“The Body of Christ needs to come to an even deeper understanding that God’s Word can
endure any demand we place upon it because it is higher than the heavens and has been
established by God Himself.”

“God’s Word is our guide. We need to renew our mind with His irresistible Word.”

“Let’s take our position with God’s Word as our weapon and our refuge. His Word will never
fail us. It is absolutely irresistible! Nothing can stand in the way of the words that God speaks.
There are no forces in the universe that can refute God’s Word, come against it or deny its
power. There is no force strong enough to nullify God’s Word.”

For the last seven years of his life, he attended The Branch Family Worship Center in
Huntsville, where his son Johnathon is the pastor. There he taught faith and encouraged the
believers.

Reverend Wilson’s door was always open. He loved having family and friends near.

Mourning his passing and celebrating his memory are his five adult children and their
families:
Son, Elder Willie J. Wilson, his wife Iris and their two adult daughters: Jasmine Iris, her husband
Dr. Dale Jiang, and sons Jacen and Jaden; and Jocelyn Mary-Estelle Wilson;
Son, Bishop Jesse T. Wilson Sr., his wife Darlene, and their three adult children: Jessica, her
husband Prophet CT Johnson; Jesse T. Jr.; and, Jalene, her husband Elder Reginald Ferguson;

Son, Reverend Dr. Johnathon, his wife Pastor Deborah, and their five adult children: Adrian,
her children Alyssa, Marlon and his wife Summer and son Myell, and Kairos; Tiffany Grant,
her husband Elliott, Lt. Colonel US Army and their three children Cadence, Madison, and
Gideon; Johnathon Nathaniel James (JB), his wife Shari, and their daughter Aria; Joshua and
his children, Dominic & Genesis; and, Joseph;

Son, Timothy Aaron, his daughter Janelle Marie Mazza, and his son, Marquis Cortez Hunter
who preceded his grandfather in death;

Daughter, Narda, her husband Attorney Hoyt Gregory Harp, and daughter Estella Daniel.
Reverend Wilson will be missed by a host of extended family members and friends.

We appreciate the prayers and support that has been shown us during this time. 
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” Hebrews 11:1 (KJV).

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