Mr. Willie Edward Locke, Sr. , known by family as "Mutt" and the community as "Locke", was born November 2, 1946, in Drewry, Alabama to the late Benjamin Locke, Sr. and Bettie Langham Locke. He was the second born of five children to this union. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Elouise Powell Locke, their daughter Shannon Locke Virola, and sister Mira Johnson. His sunset was on Saturday, December 10, 2022.

Locke gave his life to Christ at an early age and was raised as a member of Monroe Beulah Missionary Baptist Church in Monroeville, Alabama. His childhood was spent in Monroe County where he was raised closely with his brother, Benjamin Locke, Jr. Locke was known for loving the outdoors, working with his hands, cooking, and his knowledge of sports. He graduated from Union High School in Monroeville, Alabama. The majority of his adult life was spent in Madison County. He married Elouise Powell Locke, and two children were born to this union. The family became active members of First Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorage of Reverend Dr. Julius R. Scruggs. He received an Associate Degree in Brick Masonry from J. F. Drake State Community & Technical College, which led to him starting his own business, " Willie Locke's Masonry". He was later employed by Darrin King's Masonry, retiring after many years. Beginning in 2007, he gained guardianship of his daughter's three children and raised them as his own, with the help of his wife Emma Campbell Locke. Towards the end of his life, he and his wife enjoyed caring for their great-grandchildren.

Locke leaves to cherish is memory: wife, Emma Campbell Locke; children, Willie (Demetrius) Locke, Jr. and Peatra Chisom of Huntsville, AL; brothers: Benjamin (Deborah) Locke, Jr. and Henry (Rose) Locke of Moss Point, MS; sister, Barbara James of Moss Point, MS; grandchildren: Kieria Chisom, Salina Virola, Camilla (Charles) Payton, Quinton Chisom, Avery Virola, Jason Locke, and Alana Locke all of Huntsville, AL; great-grandchildren: Dontavian Staggs, Jr. and Charles Payton III of Huntsville, AL; in-laws, nieces, nephews, and a host of other family and friends.

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Funeral service for Mr. Willie E. Locke, Sr. will be Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Nelms Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with The Reverend Dr. Don Darius Butler, officiant and The Reverend G. W. Lindsey, Jr., eulogist. The Locke visitation will be from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. in the Nelms Memorial Funeral Home Chapel.