Willie R. Artis Sr.

Willie R. Artis Sr. CHESAPEAKE - Willie Randolph Artis Sr., 83, of the 1300 block of Dutchess of York Quay, passed away Aug. 25, 2009. He was born Jan. 20, 1926, to the late Annie and Garfield Artis Sr. in Southampton County. Willie was a member of Mount Tabor Baptist Church, Courtland, Va. Willie was a U.S. Army veteran serving in World War II. He retired from General Service Administration as a supervisor for 30 years. He is survived by three daughters, Laveta Artis, Sharon Epps (Ray) and Linda Wright; three sons, Keith "Mercy" Artis, Randy Artis Jr. (Valerie) and Larry Wharf (Connie); one brother, Sylvester Artis; 21 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; one great-great- grandchild; former wife, Lillian B. Artis; stepsisters, Mary Lewis and Ruby Artis; stepbrother, Herbert Artis; and a host of other relatives and friends. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in Calvary Revival Church, Norfolk. Interment will be at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk. Family and friends will assemble at the residence one hour prior to service for procession to the church. Metropolitan Funeral Service, Berkley Avenue Chapel, is in charge. Condolences may be offered at www.metropolitanfuneralservice.com.