Willie James Terry, Sr., a dedicated deacon, skilled craftsman, and beloved family man, passed away on March 21, 2026. Born August 12, 1938, in Leesburg, GA, to the late Annie Wiggins and Major Mitchell, Willie was a devoted member of Wooden Grove Missionary Baptist Church, where he served faithfully on the Usher Board before being ordained as a Deacon.

Even as his health declined, his spirit remained strong. And though he was perfectly fine with his flip phone, he embraced learning to use a smartphone so he and his wife could stay connected to weekly church service, Sunday School, and Bible Study with Wooden Grove and with Greater Fellowship Christian Ministries. Even in his mid-80s despite never using technology before, he learned to text and was even sending his children photos.

Although he was a proud Heavy Equipment Operator, retiring from the City of Albany’s Public Works Department, his true legacy was his role as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, protector, comforter, disciplinarian—not to mention a talented shade-tree mechanic & plumber when needed.

Anyone who knew him knew he was a man who spoke his mind. He was known and respected for his straight-up honesty. He had a sincere love for baseball and taught his sons to be the best at it. He also shared his love for sports with his wife and girls, and coached and motivated them to play softball and be good at it as well. He loved watching the Atlanta Braves, even going to games from time to time.

Fishing and playing pool were among his favorite pastimes, and he never hesitated to brag when he had a good day. If you ever wanted to see him frustrated and get a good laugh, you only had to be around when the telemarketers called; he had a few options for them. He even learned how to block them, so well, in fact, that he accidentally blocked his own family members and wondered why our calls weren’t coming through.

He loved keeping up with current events on the local news, CNN and MSNBC. But when they had seen enough of the news, he could be found almost any day sitting in his chair alongside his wife watching Gunsmoke and Columbo.

Willie received his education in the Lee County Training School. Although he often said he didn’t have the best education, he was a true "Jack of all trades" who could fix, repair, or build anything—including the home where he raised his family. He married the love of his life, Nellie on June 29, 1958, and together, they had three boys and five girls.

He was preceded in death by two baby girls, Mamie and Evelyn, and two boys, Mike and Tommie.

He leaves to cherish his memories his loving and devoted wife of 67 years, Nellie Bell Hicks Terry, his children Dorothy (Pastor Thomas) Rivers, Leesburg, GA, Willie (Sylvia) Terry, Jr., Albany, GA, Dora (Derrick) Gary, Jonesboro, GA, Mary (Kenneth) Singleton, Leesburg, GA., two daughters in love, Clara Terry, Leesburg, GA and Tamara Terry, Decatur, GA, eleven grandchildren, Steven (Elizabeth) Wallace, Tomecca Terry-Williams, Tramaine Terry, Bruce (Karmesha) Jackson, Michael Terry, Mykailyn Terry, Dorai Truvillion, Kenneth Mitchell, Dontravious Mitchell, Qwantrelle Sanders, and Quandranikia (Randy) Bess, three sisters Gloria Thomas, Marva Boyd and Annie Washington, four sisters-in-love Willie Kate Ward, Charlene (Clifton) Aldridge, Sallie Hicks and Annie Mildred Mitchell along with several great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, a special cousin, Diane Mitchell Heard and a host of other family and friends.