Willie H. Pugh

Willie Henry Pugh, affectionately known as Kip, was born on April 29, 1935, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was the son of Johnnie Pugh and Irene (Jones) Pugh. Willie attended school in the Indianapolis School District before moving to Bloomfield, Michigan and graduating at the early age of fifteen. Shortly after his graduation from the Bloomfield School system he was hired at General Motors.
On November 9, 1954, at the age of nineteen Willie enlisted in the United States Army where he served in the Special Forces until his honorable discharge in June of 1955. Upon his separation from the Armed Forces Willie moved back to Detroit, Michigan to start his family and was blessed with six children. He was truly a father figure and very devoted to his children attending their school programs and meetings. After raising his family, Willie moved back to Indianapolis to attend Butler University where he received his bachelor's degree in automotive engineering.
Once again, following graduation he moved back to Detroit and became the manager of his own parking lot. He relocated to St. Petersburg, Florida in 1988 where he met the love of his life, the former Alfreda Ellington and on March 27, 1988, at the St. Petersburg City Hall the couple was joined in marriage. Together Willie and Alfreda gained employment at the local Kmart where Willie worked as a security guard. The newlyweds worshipped at the Christian Service Center Full Gospel Church where they prayed about moving back to Michigan. In 2014, the Lord answered their prayers, and the couple moved to Monroe and started to worship at the Monroe Full Gospel Church. Those who knew, Willie best knew he was a gifted, skillful, brilliant, and intelligent man who loved his family dearly.
Willie Henry Pugh, age 89 of Monroe, Michigan passed away on Monday; January 6, 2025, at the Wellspring Lutheran Services in Monroe. His passing was preceded by his parents: Johnnie and Irene Pugh; his daughter: Jina Denise Pugh; two brothers: Lonnie Rogers and Ronald Pugh; and one sister: Johnnie May Keys.
To cherish his memory, he leaves his beautiful wife of twenty-seven years: Alfreda Pugh of Monroe; two sons: Marcus and Ira Clifton Pugh; three daughters: Anita Lytrice Pugh, Kim Marie Pugh, and Tracy Annette Lane; a sister: Geralene McCree of Laurell, Mississippi; sixteen grandchildren, twenty-three great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
Friends may gather from 11:00am until 1:00pm on Thursday; January 16, 2025, at Monroe Full Gospel Church, 5337 East Albain Road, Monroe, Michigan. A Homegoing Celebration will begin at 1:00pm also at the church with Pastor Harold Raines officiating. Private burial will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. Willie's care has been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe; 14567 South Dixie Highway, Monroe, Michigan (734) 241-7070.
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