Willie A. Vance, 81, began his life journey on January 30, 1939, born to the late George and Elizabeth Gayle Vance in Sumter. He was reared in a home filled with love, along with his six siblings. He married his best friend and love of his life, the former Annie Lou White. To this union two sons were born. He transitioned peacefully from this earthly life to his eternal rest early Sunday morning, September 6, 2020 at Sumter Health and Rehabilitation Center in Sumter. He attended the public schools of Sumter County. For over 40 years, he worked and retired from Rogers Radiator Works of Sumter. He was known through the Sumter community for his skill in repairing and installing radiators for all types of vehicles – cars and trucks. Bro. Vance accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at an early age. He was a member of Beulah A. M. E. Church, where he attended faithfully until his health began to fail. While at Beulah, he was a member of the Lay Organization, Church School Department, Sons of Allen and Male Chorus. He enjoyed and loved watching and listening to all the church choirs singing and praising God through songs and the spirit-filled messages by the Pastor. He leaves to cherish his life journey and continue his legacy: his loving, devoted and caring wife of 43 wonderful years, Annie Lou White Vance; two children, Brian (Beverly) White of Sumter and Willie “Nickie” Adrian (Anna) Vance of Waynesville, Ohio; three sisters, Barbara Vance of Sumter, Gayle Vance of Atlanta, GA and Lydia Razor of Phoenix, AZ; three brothers, Joseph, Charles and George Vance all of Sumter; six grandchildren; one great grandchild; special friends, the Pinckney brothers, Billie and John Jr.; and a host of brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The family is requesting in accordance with the COV19 guidelines, face masks and social distancing be observed by relatives and friends at all visitation at the home, 3002 Prosser Avenue, Sumter. Funeral Services will be held Friday, September 11, 2020 – 11:00 a. m. in the John Wesley Williams Sr. Memorial Chapel of Williams Funeral Home, Inc., 821 North Main Street, Sumter, with the Rev. Dr. Dwayne Bruce, officiant. The procession will leave from the home at 10:30 a. m. Burial will be in the Beulah A. M. E. Church Yard Cemetery, 3175 Florence Highway, Sumter.
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