Willie Ben Copeland

Willie Ben Copeland Jr., also known as (Junior) was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at Reading Hospital & Tower Health Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.

Willie, 87, was born on March 29, 1937, in Talbotton Georgia.

Willie was the son of the (late)Veronica Mae (Copeland) and the (late) Willie Ben Copeland Sr.

Willie a graduate of Talbot County High School, Talbotton Georgia. He accepted Christ at an early age at Valley Grove Baptist Church, Manchester Georgia, under the leadership of Reverend Johnson.

In 1954 Willie decided to travel to Reading with his uncle Clarence Copeland and moved in with his aunt and uncle Ellis & Freddie Copeland.  In 1955 he joined St. John Missionary Baptist Church on Bingman Street under the leadership of Reverend John Mark McCracken and served as an Usher and met his love.  

He needed a job, and Uncle Ellis got him a job at Garden State Tannery 2nd Chestnut, Reading and he continued to work until he retired in January of 2002.

He also worked for Merle Construction Inc., the City of Reading as a Sanitation Worker, and on his Uncle Ellis’s trash truck.

In November of 1960, he married Dorothy Rose (Gilmore) Copeland, to that union were four children Linda Copeland, Troy Copeland, Wanda Copeland, and Kevin Copeland.

Willie loved fishing, hunting, and working in his garden, he always shared whatever he got with family and friends.

He leaves to cherish his loving memories his wife Dorothy Gilmore Copeland three daughters, Linda (Copeland) Parry,  Wanda Copeland, of Reading, and Beulah Little, (Reginald) of Rex Georgia; two sons Troy Copeland, and Kevin Copeland both of Reading, (9) grandchildren Kevin Copeland, Ilan Santo, Mercedes Copeland, Maya Copeland, Callie Green, Shati Copeland, Hunter Price, and Shania Little, (2) great-grandchildren Jaliyah Winters, and Ace Thompson, brothers Cleveland Copeland (Lois), Abraham Copeland, Lester Copeland (Rubie), Jimmie Copeland (Linda), Ralph Copeland (Diane), (1) sister Velma Copeland (7) Sister-In-Laws Diane Gilmore, Judy Gilmore Nuss (Clarence), Shirley Dabney, Joanne Farrah (Yusef Sr.), Shirley Gilmore, Jessica Gilmore, Shelia Bruno, Brother-in-laws Bruce Gilmore, Walter G. Singleton Sr., John Gilmore Sr. (Patricia), and Larry Gilmore, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Willie is predeceased by his Parents Veronica Mae and Willie Ben Copeland Sr.,

Brothers, Robert & Yvonne Copeland, Alvin Copeland, Michael & Mary Williams, Son-in-law Maurice Parry, In-laws Marilyn Gilmore, Charles E. & Susan Liggs, Joseph & Maxine Gilmore, Nellie L. Singleton, Betty Copeland, Danny C. Gilmore Sr., Leon Gilmore Sr., Jeffrey Gilmore, Janice Gilmore. 

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