Obituary of Willie C Christian

Obituary of Willie Christian Willie Charles 'Chris' Christian, the youngest of four children, was born to the parentage of Willie and Jessie Christian in Longview, Gregg County, Texas, on July 7, 1930. He was preceded in death by both parents and siblings. Chris, as he was fondly called by relatives and friends, received his early education in the Hawkins, Texas, public schools. In September, 1947, he entered Prairie View A&M College; Prairie View, Texas, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1951. He also completed his graduate studies at Prairie View and was awarded a Masters degree in 1963. Immediately after receiving his undergraduate degree, Chris was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. While on active duty, he received training at Fort Benning, Georgia, Fort Ord, California, and Camp Gifu, Japan. In Korea he served as a platoon leader as well as temporary Company Commander. He was assigned to the Combat Zone, and after being wounded in action, was awarded the Purple Heart Combat Infantryman's Badge, along with other medals and commendations. After his tour of duty in the military, Willie C. and his family moved to Dallas, Texas, where he was employed by the U.S. Postal Service. Later he began work in the Dallas Independent School District as a Lieutenant presiding over the R.O.T.C. at Booker T. Washington High School. He also taught Mathematics and Science at Seguoyah Junior High School. He soon became Coordinator of Distributive Education in DISD. He resigned from the Dallas Independent School District to serve as Director of Manpower for the Dallas Community Action Agency. Later, he became an employee of the Federal Government where he served with the U.S. Department of Defense, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Labor. He retired from his position as Area Director in the Seattle office of the Department of Labor to become Contracts Manager at the Dallas Area Agency on Aging. After he retired from this position he served with the agency's Volunteer Services Division. He was married to his college sweetheart, Ora L. McNeil. Two daughters were born to this union, Gizelle Atondra (Sparkle) Christian and Panna Maria Christian. Chris was an active member of St. Luke "Community" United Methodist Church where he served with the Loaves and Fishes Ministry. Survivors include his spouse, Ora L. Christian; two daughters, Gizelle Christian and Panna Christian (Dallas, TX); nephews, Dr. James Christian (Muskogee, OK), Johnnie Christian (Kansas City, KS), Dr. Charles Christian (Baltimore, MD), Herman Christian (Chesterfield, VA), Artie Christian and Artealous Christian (Renee) (Dallas, TX); two nieces, Brenda Christian and Carolyn Christian (Dallas, TX); God daughter, Adrienne Hayes Thomas and children, Martin, Morgan and Maxwell (Dallas, TX); and a magnitude of other relatives and friends.