Henry Willie James

Henry Willie James was born on May 3, 1954, to the late Leon and Pearlean James.  He grew up in Washington, DC, attended and graduated from Cardozo High School in 1972.  He was a student at DC Teachers College (DCTC) for a couple of years before deciding to take a job with then C&P Telephone Company known today as Verizon and retired after 30 years.

He was a member of Holy Mount Olivet Church in Washington, DC under Pastor Elder Walter Izler.  It was there he received the Holy Ghost and received his ministry of music.  He played the piano, trumpet, lead guitar, and bass guitar.  It brought him great joy to sing and direct the Youth Choir during his tenure there.

On February 7, 1976, with great excitement he married Melissa Spence.  From this union came 3 children, Henry W. James II, Melissa Christine and Marcus Aurelius (deceased).  Henry enjoyed his family and fed them much dry humor.  He and his family travelled extensively throughout the United States and abroad.  The James family eventually became members of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Penns Grove, NJ under founder, the late Bishop William I. Spence and then under Bishop Edward G. Petroski.

His most favorite activities were singing, praising, and dancing before the Lord.  He continued his music ministry directing the choir with his wife by his side.  He also headed the Vacation Bible Camp and was a gracious taster of the delicious noshes the church served.  He was later ordained an Elder and was elated about serving the various capacities in the church.

Henry was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 5^th, 2022, when God honored his request to come home.

He leaves to celebrate his life: his wife, Melissa, his son Henry and wife Angela, his daughter, Melissa, his honorary daughter, Michelle, his daughter-in-law, Sheree, and his grandchildren, Nikaya, Tyson, Leia, and John Henry, his siblings Pat, Pearlette, Leon, JoAnn, and Jerry, and a host of family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in honor of Henry James to The American Cancer Society and Hospice Foundation of America.