Willie Trotter

Life Reflections
Willie C. Trotter, Jr., “Mr. Willie” was born March 25, 1935 in Monticello, Arkansas. His parents were the late Roosevelt and Ozell Morton. Willie was the oldest of six children. Willie accepted Christ at a young age and united with Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Bauxite, Arkansas where he was baptized at a lake, just north of the church.

Willie received his formal education in Bauxite, Arkansas. He graduated from Woodland High School where he was an outstanding athlete in baseball. In fact, in 1951, around the age of 16, a scout from a major league baseball farm club came to the house to sign Willie to play professional baseball, but he wouldn’t sign. He wanted to join the Marines. After about a year, Willie finally convinced his mother to sign his enlistment papers and he joined the Marines at the age of 17. Willie served a combination of 20 years in both the Marines and Navy. He received an honorable discharge from both. While serving in the military, Willie earned the following medals; Korean Service Medal, 2 Good Conduct Medals, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, United Nations Medal and 2 National Defense Medals.

After serving in the military, Willie worked for the United States Post Office in Chicago, Illinois, Michigan and San Pedro, California, where he retired in 1995. Willie met and fell in love with his wife, Carolyn Reeves, on a blind date in 1990. Many years later, after much convincing, Carolyn accepted Willie’s marriage proposal and they were married on October 1, 2006 in Toledo, Ohio. He also served as Chaplain for the Golden Rule Lodge 129 of Toledo, Ohio. Then he served as Vice President of their Educational Department and a member of the Northwest District Council #15. In 2007, Willie and Carolyn decided to relocate to Carson, California where they lived for years. In 2011, Mr. Willie joined Crossroads UMC, Compton, CA under the leadership of Rev. Royce Porter, Sr. where he loved to worship. Later, in 2015, they moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where they currently residence.

Willie enjoyed being surrounded by his family! His face would especially light up whenever his children or grandchildren would come around. Willie was an avid sports fan too. His favorite teams were the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Dallas Cowboys. Willie also enjoyed fishing and listening to Jazz and the Blues.

On Tuesday, July 14, 2020, Willie quietly transitioned from this earthly life to his Heavenly Home. He is preceded in death by his son Gary Rideaux and brother, Roosevelt Morton, Jr.

Willie leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Carolyn Reeves Trotter, Daughters; Irene B. Wilson, Deborah Rideaux and Veronica Real (Oscar); Bonus children; Sandra Edmond, Kevin Reeves, Shawn Reeves and Darrell Reeves; Brothers; Johnny Morton (Iris) and Robert Morton(Pamela); Sisters; Dorothy Henderson (Reginald) and Mary Morton and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and many dear family and friends!