THE Willie Gibson Tribute 2021

Willie Bryant Gibson, known to so many as 'Grown' or Lil' Wil, was born August 27, 1944 in Marianna, Florida to Anne Esther and Otis. He grew up in Marianna, Florida the fifth of eight children. Three brothers (Willie C., William Lee, and Otis) and four sisters (Josephine, Gloria Jean, Mary Alice, and Lillie Queen).
Willie graduated from Union Grove High school. Upon graduation he worked at a local Coca-Cola plant. However, he would soon move west to California following his big brother Willie C. There he met Patsy and they wed. From that marriage five children were born, Carol Anne Esther, Antoinette Teracina, Stacy Alexander, Trayci Alexandria, and Kim.
During his marriage to Patsy, Willie was drafted to serve in the United States Army during the Vietnam War in 1968 at the height of the war. He served his nation for more than the minimum requirement, reupping twice and serving a total two and a half tours in Vietnam before being honorably discharged. Willie faced head on the dangers and difficulties of serving in the US Army in an active war zone and all that comes with that. Over time Willie accepted and grew increasingly proud of his selfless service to the United States.
After returning from Vietnam Willie started a career as a Bus Driver for RTD (Rapid Transit District) in Los Angeles. This was a career that he would hold for twenty-three years until retirement in 1997. Like his service to his country, Willie was extremely proud of his career and how it gave him the opportunity to provide for his family.
In 1974 Willie met Rebecca and from this relationship Brendan Kahlil was born. In 1979 Willie and Rebecca would marry and soon after moved to Simi Valley, CA, where they would raise their family together for the next twenty years.
Also, in 1979 Willie became a practicing Nichiren Buddhist and a member of the lay Buddhist organization Soka Gakkai International-USA (SGI-USA). Willie was a devoted Buddhist practitioner. His faith formed his outlook on life, the universe, and how he interacted with all people. Willie became a local leader in SGI-USA where he would endeavor to help people to achieve a better and happier life through Buddhism. Throughout his Buddhist practice, Willie met and encouraged countless individuals. And, those individuals have a memory of a passionate, loving, friendly, and happy man that they could always count on. Willie remained a devoted practicing Buddhist for the remainder of his life, waking up as early as 3:30 am daily so he could do his morning prayers before leaving to drive the bus.
In 2000, Willie returned to Florida where he would live and care for his father Otis until Otis's death in 2002. Willie was a faithful and committed son his entire life and this is most demonstrated by the love and care he exhibited during his father's last years.
After his father's passing, Willie would remain in Florida. During that time, he would meet, and in 2014 have the fortune to marry Mary. During their relationship they would begin to raise their granddaughters Nikkie and Terrisina. Willie, Mary, Nikkie, and Terrisina would remain together experiencing all of life's joys and challenges together until the end of his own life.
Willie was outgoing, funny, some might say the life of the party while others will say crazy (in a loving way). All who came across him were greeted with a smile, conversation, and more likely went away from the encounter having been entertained and with a smile on their face too. Willie was a happy, committed, dependable friend who was there for all in their times of need to provide a shoulder, ear, and smile.
Willie was a proud man. What he was most proud of was his family. He loved his family intensely and unconditionally. He's a proud Gibson. Willie believed that Gibson is the greatest of all names. He had a nickname for most of us, and he would typically greet us by our nickname. Some were nicknames to everybody, while others were unique just to him (Hoop, C, Dune, Queen, Boot, Daddy's Little Brat, Grandpa's Hunk, Grandpa Somebody, Grandpa's Stormie Money, Grandpa's Little Princess, just to name a few) That pride in his family runs way back to his forebearers and continues all the way through to his offspring. He was proud to be Otis and Anne Esther's youngest son, Willie C's, Otis's, William Lee's, and Josephine's younger brother, and Gloria Jean's, Mary Alice's, and Lillie Queen's older brother.
Willie was especially proud of his children and grandchildren, collectively and individually. He was SO proud of his children and grandchildren! They were often the source of his conversations. He took great pleasure, pride, and confidence in all their life experiences, ability to endure and overcome challenges, and successes.

[larahannison]

SO Beautiful !!! Willie was a spiritual Father to me and introduced me to Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism over 40 years ago !! I was only 14 years old when I met him and Becky. Willie inspired me so very much in my life and in my practice of Buddhism. I will keep you Willie forever in my heart- You will be missed by so many. I will adopt your courage and true love of People- You always tried to see the best in people. You really knew how to love people. So many people have lost that. Not you.... You forgave easily and loved easily. Thank you so very much for all that you taught me- I love you from the bottom of my heart !!