Willie J. McCreary

Willie James McCreary II departed this life on September 22, 2025, at Bay State Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 28, 1958, to the late Willie James McCreary, Sr. and Ethel Lee (Jackson) McCreary of Brookhaven, Mississippi. Willie James was a faithful member of the Kingdom Hall. He spent his early life in Brookhaven, Mississippi, where he graduated from Brookhaven High School, Class of 1977. A devoted son who deeply loved his mother, he relocated with her to Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1977, to build a new life together. A proud graduate of American International College, Willie James demonstrated tremendous determination by working two jobs to pay his way through school. He earned his undergraduate degree and went on to achieve two master's degrees - one in History and the other in Clinical Counseling. His professional journey reflected his dedication to helping others, with employment at Charles River Hospital and Providence Hospital, and culminating with 14½ years of service as an Addiction Certification Counselor at Osborne Correctional Institution in Somers, Connecticut. Willie James was a proud, hardworking, selfless black man who loved his children, grandchildren, great grand child and family with all his heart. He was a brilliant and inquisitive man, always reading and studying something new to further his knowledge. His passion for learning was so strong, he even taught himself karate. Above all, those who knew him will always remember that he was the number one Dallas Cowboys fan. He is pre-deceased by his brother, James Earl McCreary, two sister-in-law's, Holly and Lynda McCreary, and one brother-in-law, Jeffrey Lumpkin. Willie is survived by six children, Shauna White, Relessa (R.J.) White, Tawaina White, Gwendolyn McCreary, Clarensa McCreary, Willie James McCreary III, and two stepchildren, Christina White and Joshua Groomes, all of Springfield; eighteen grandchildren Michael, Lennox, LaKwaun, Malaysia, Laniyah, Xayden, Lakai, Chauncey, Kennidy, Chloe, Caleb, Ja-Vion, Jaizer, Jalene, Jeremiah, Nevaeh, A'naeyah, Christian, and his great-grand son, Jayden. He also leaves to cherish his memory his siblings, Barbara Hawkins-Lumpkin of Bonaire, Georgia, Michael McCreary of Springfield, Massachusetts, Gwendolyn Murray (Thomas Murray Jr.) of Newport News, Virginia, and Regina McCreary of Hamden, Connecticut; two aunts, Ruby and Dorothy Jackson of Springfield, Massachusetts, along with a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Willie, please visit our floral store.