Obituary of Willie L. McCullough

Willie Louis McCullough was born July 5, 1938 to the late Bennie and Janie Belle (Hicks) McCullough in Chester County, South Carolina. Willie peacefully received his call to eternal glory on January 27, 2022. He was preceded in death by his wife, Stevanna Steele McCullough of 59 years. Of his thirteen siblings he was preceded in death by: Marie McCullough Hope, Eliza McCullough McCullough, Earlene McCullough Beaty, Martha McCullough Tyler Miller, Clara Bell McCullough Feely, James Frank McCullough, Benjamin McCullough, Jr.

Honoring his mother and father and establishing a relationship with Christ was an essential value in the home of Papa and Janie Belle and their 14 children. With that foundation in place, Willie accepted Christ at a young age. His family and faith in tow took them from Rock Hill, South Carolina to Boonton, NJ in the 1950’s. The McCullough’s stayed in Boonton, for a little while before moving to Orange, NJ and soon after making their way to Morristown, NJ where they began to grow their roots in the Morristown area.

As a young man Willie found employment in a card factory, printing and cutting greeting cards, which was followed by a job at the Paper Mill in Whippany, NJ, which would be followed by his move to Jersey Central Power & Light where he worked 30+ years until his retirement under First Energy Corporation. Willie was a dedicated and hard worker. He was easy-going professionally and personally. His journey in life was not one he traveled alone. The late 50’s and early 60’s brought a pretty young lady from Alabama that his cousin introduced him to. In his cousin words, “Good golley, Will! You gotta see these pretty girls from Alabama!” As dad would say, “The rest was history!” He married Florence Stevanna Jane Steele, April 30, 1961. To this union was born, Daniel Louis, and Yolanda Hope.

Willie was a great man of faith. His kind, caring, attentive ways were apparent in the way he lived his life. He worked hard, he enjoyed life traveling, spending time with family and friends. Family was everything to him, and it was evident with his words of wisdom, hearty laugh and witty ways. His culinary skills, unmatched, but it’s often said that was an attribute that has been richly bestowed upon the McCullough family.

We will miss enjoying with him the things that brought him joy. He was a meticulous man from grooming his yard and garden to making sure things were done on time and in decent order. He leaves a legacy of what a family man should be. So, we won’t say good-bye, because that would be way too hard, but we’ll simply say, so long. Rest easy, and know, as long as your name is called, your memories stay fresh on our minds, you will forever live in our hearts. We are honored to have had you for 83 years and our lives are better for having you come our way.

Willie Louis McCullough is survived by: Daniel Louis McCullough (Patricia), Huntersville, NC, Yolanda Hope McCullough Carnes (Steven), Aurora, Illinois. Grandchildren: Dylan Steven Carnes, Xavier Wesley McCullough, Colin Louis Carnes. His devoted and caring siblings: Annie Forbes, Dover, NJ,  John McCullough, Morristown, NJ, Mary Boyce, Rockaway, NJ, Ruby Cannon, Madison, NJ, Robert (Sheila), Stanhope, NJ, Helen (Lewis) McCullough Oguje, Netcong, New Jersey. God daughters: Phyllis (William) Baylock, Oklahoma City, OK, Tracy A. McKlin, Bristol, VA and a host or should we say, affectionately tribe of loving, loving nieces, nephews, great and great greats, friends and neighbors who are revered as family.

         “Whatever is in the Master’s hand, we will leave it just like that.”

                                                      -Willie L. McCullough

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a visitation for Willie held on Friday, February 11, 2022 from 4:00PM to 7:00PM at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home at 9:30AM on Saturday, February 12, 2022. For everyone's safety, we respectfully require masks to be worn during the visitation and funeral service. For those that wish, the service may be attended virtually by visiting the livestream link:https://livestream.com/aritonvideolive/willie

Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Morristown.

Charitable contributions may be made in Willie’s memory to the Mount Zion Baptist Church Scholarship Fund, 4 Church Rd, Boonton, NJ 07005