Sgt. Willie Collins Lewis was born September 12, 1944 to the late Mr. and Mrs. John Wesley and Ardelle Godwin Lewis, Sr. He confessed Christ at an early age and joined the South Elyton Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Moreland Lanier, where he was a faithful member of the Crusaders and the choir.

Sgt. Lewis, a graduate of Ullman High School had an angelic voice and loved to sing; he was a member of the Gospel Vocalaries (family group) and was an award winning artist. After high school Sgt. Lewis joined the United States Air Force in San Antonio, TX where he served his country and worked as an Air Force Medic specializing in Urology. Sgt. Lewis worked and retired from Cooper Green Hospital after many dedicated years of service where he was affectionately known by his co workers as "Doc".

Sgt. Lewis, a family man enjoyed playing tennis, bowling, dancing and working in his garden to name just a few of his hobbies.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, John Wesley Lewis, Jr and a stepson, Rodney Brown.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Brown Lewis of Birmingham, AL; one son, Ronnie Lewis of San Antonio, TX; one stepson, Louis (DeChanning) Brown of Birmingham, AL; one stepdaughter, Marla (Garvin) Peterson of Dallas, TX; five siblings, Melvyn (Lemon) Tellis of Stratford, CT, Anthony Lewis of Birmingham, AL, Charlie (Myra) Lewis of Hamden, CT, Etta (Joseph) Allen and Anice (Vincent, Sr.) Bayles both of Birmingham, AL; one sister in law, Geraldine Lewis of Birmingham, AL; eleven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one aunt; twelve nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.