Willie Sheriff
Willie Sheriff was born on July 6, 1930 in Manning, SC to the late Arthur and Rita Sheriff. He was the beloved brother of the late Earline Allen. Always a precocious child, Willie graduated two years early from Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, VA after two double promotions. He sang and taught himself how to play the piano, harmonica and ukulele. He loved to perform magic tricks and rode a unicycle. When he was drafted into the U.S. Army, he chose to enlist in the Air Force instead. After his tour of duty, he earned a BA in Sociology at Northeastern University and attended Suffolk University Law School. He worked for the MA Welfare Department as social worker, social work supervisor and community service center director for 33 years. He earned a reputation for being a consummate professional and leader in state government. Following his retirement, he worked in Human Resources for FEMA for 15 years. He was also a respected tax advisor. In his spare time, Willie loved piloting a small plane from Mansfield to Martha’s Vineyard. He loved to share his passion for flying with his family and friends. He held leadership roles as a Mason in the Paul Laurence Dunbar Lodge #19, Prince Hall, Shriners, and the Woodbine Club. He was an accomplished orator, well known for his ability to captivate an audience with an animated rendering of a poem, story or joke. Willie leaves to mourn their loss his wife of 53 years Sybil Grannum Sheriff; two sons Michael Sheriff and his wife France Sheriff and William Sheriff and his wife Julia Sheriff; grandchildren Mark Sheriff, Michael Jones, Nichelle Mungo, Lillian Vallee, Richard Sheriff, Taylor Sheriff, William Sheriff, Jr., Kennedy Sheriff, and several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Funeral Service at 10:00 AM on Monday, September 29, 2014 at Twelfth Baptist Church 160 Warren Street Roxbury, MA 02119 Rev. Dr. Arthur T. Gerald officiating Burial with military honors will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, 355 Walk Hill St., Mattapan, MA.
Share
Let the family know you care by sharing this tribute.
Last week you told me that you wanted to take a bi annual flight check so that you could fly airplanes again. Starting this week you fly forever in our hearts. Thank you dad…
Michael & William hold on to God unchanging hands. May God be the Glory.Your bright loving smile,word of wisdom at the family reunion will be missed.God needed another angel so he called you home to get your crown.Well done.We miss and love you Cousin Gail & Family,until we meet again.
Willie, it has been a while since we worked together but I need to tell you that I loved working with you. You were just funny enough, sarcastic enough and so good at what you did that I had to be jealous. I have loved you for years and hope you felt the same for me. Please rest in peace…..I know how much you loved the boys and their kids. I hope they know that…you will be my best-friend always and and I think of your sister so often. I love you both
I am sorry for your loss. Willie was a great guy and dear friend. I meet him at Prince Hall and he convinced my to take a job a FEMA. He was a impressive person. His loss will be felt through out the Prince hall community.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this difficult time. The weight of your loss is felt far and wide. Brother Willie Sheriff meant a lot to me. I spent a lot of time talking and listening to him. He was a man of immense dignity and I’ll NEVER forget him as long as I live. I love you my brother & I apologize that my everyday vocation will not allow for me to be out of the office to memorialize you. May your beautiful soul rest eternally.
p.s.
Thank you again for installing me as WM. You were simply the best! Peace & Blessings!
My deepest sympathy to the family of Willie Sheriff. He was A good man, a good friend and a great brother Mason. He will be missed.
To the family of Willie, my deepest sympathy. Willie processed me into FEMA almost seven years ago. He has always been a very resourceful person who was always willing to lend a hand when asked. I always enjoyed talking to him on various issues. He was a good man and I am very fortunate to have known him. May God bless him and may he rest in peace.
We extend our prayers and condolences to you during this difficult time. Remember, that earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.
On behalf of the Blackwell family (Legrant, Linda and Alexis) we would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy to your family. May God comfort you and rest assured that he has your love one in his everlasting embrace. GOD BLESS!
Our deepest condolences to you and your family. We were sorry not to be able to come mourn with you at the service today. You were in our thoughts, very much so.
May the grace of God sustain you all in your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you …much love Dorothy Burton and family
Enorme. http://www.wabengasse.de/discussion/97/index.php?page=User&userID=726
I know it’s been 8 years, but I just heard of Willie’s passing. I used to rent airplanes to him at Mansfield airport back in the 70’s. He was just such a nice and pleasant guy. You have my deepest confidences.
I remember Mr. Sheriff as a very nice and upbeat gentleman. I knew him from Mansfield airport where I worked in the late 1970s.
I am sorry to hear of his passing, he was a real asset to the community! My condolences to his family,