Willie S. Ragland, Jr.

Please click here to view a live of the funeral service for Mr. Willie S. Ragland. The live stream of the funeral service for Mr. Willie Ragland will begin at 2:30 on Saturday, March 27th.

Willie S. Ragland Jr., 57, of Suitland, Maryland, passed away on March 12, 2021 at Southern Maryland Hospital. He was born on June 1, 1963 to the late Willie Samuel Alexander Ragland Sr. and Bessie Mae Benson of Attalla, Alabama.

Willie attended and graduated from Emma Samson High School in 1981 and joined the U.S. Army that same year. He took pride in obtaining his bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Social Science from the University of Maryland, University College. He dedicated eight years of service to his country and was honorably discharged and moved to Maryland. During his military tenure, he served in the Gulf War. Willie went on to work for both the state and federal government before retiring honorably from the U.S. Capitol Police in 2019.

Willie married the love of his life, Wendy Ragland, on March 5, 1982 in Gadsden, Alabama. He was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, and grandfather and was fondly known as “PawPaw.” He loved his family unconditionally and enjoyed spending quality time with them, listening to music, attending grandchildren’s sporting events, watching movies, traveling, and having a good cup of coffee. Willie will be remembered for his sense of humor, strong work ethic, outstanding leadership, speaking his mind, strong faith in the Lord, extreme generosity, and the advice he gave to so many out of love and his learned experiences. He was a very humble, personable, and kind-hearted man.

He is preceded in death by his father, Willie Samuel Alexander Ragland Sr.; his mother, Bessie Mae Benson; his two sisters-in-law, Tonio Jordan Potts and Tina Renee Melson; and his two nephews, Damien Pope and Antonio Demetric Melson. 

He is lovingly survived by his wife Wendy Ragland; his two daughters, Tabatha Hughes (Jamal), Veronica Lewis (Eddie). He leaves behind four grandchildren: Dakai Hughes, Makalya Hughes, Mason Hughes and Dylan Lewis.

His surviving four siblings are Alvin Ragland Sr. (Gloria) of Waynesville, Missouri; Lazaya Wilson (Jeff) of Gadsden, Alabama; Latisha Thompson (Richard) of Rainbow City, Alabama; Lozanya Mitchell (Rodney) of Gadsden, Alabama.  

He is survived by his mother-in-law, Mary Jordan of Gadsden, Alabama. His surviving four sisters-in-law are Jacqueline Wright of Gadsden, Alabama; Catherine Melson Jackson (Jerald) of Huntsville, Alabama; Rita Applewhite (Bill) of Jacksonville, Florida; Tracie Williams (Stanley) of Rainbow City, Alabama.

He also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends who loved him dearly.

Until We Meet Again

“We think about you always, we talk about you still, you will never be forgotten, and you never will, we hold you close within our hearts and there you will remain, to walk and guide us through our lives, until we meet again.” -Unknown

Farewell Prayer

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord makes his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turns his face toward you and give you peace.” -Numbers 6:23-26

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be sent to: Beall Funeral Home, 6512 Crain Hwy, Bowie MD 20715 Attn: Willie Ragland or Tabatha Hughes, 6605 Belleview Drive, Columbia MD 21046.