Willie Henry Slater “Bayboy”, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 9, 2019. He was surrounded by family and friends. He was born in Mt. Meigs, Alabama. The family moved to Oak Ridge, TN and later to Knoxville, TN. Slater attended Knoxville Public Schools and later joined the U.S. Army. He owned and operated The Burlington Fish Market for many years.
He was preceded in death by his mother Josephine Slater, father Johnny Davis, step-father Sylvester Slater, step-daughter Sonya Sullivan. Survived by wife, Cleta “Penny” Booker Slater for 19 yrs.; children, Linda Clark, Towana (Lynn Bowles), Rhonda White (Gary Douglas), and Howard Slater; step-children, Camilla Ray and Rebecca “Chee Chee” Booker; grandsons, Tony White Jr, Ronrico White, Reginald Johnson and Justin Bush, eight great-grandsons, three great-granddaughters, sisters, Beaulah Love of Alabama, Betty James, Frances Slater, Shirley Slater and Jean Slater, all of Oak Ridge, TN and Jackie (Osmond) Robinson of Knoxville, TN and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members to include extended family, Guy Renae and Lynn Porter, devoted friends, Richard Davis and Emily Slater.
The family will receive friends Saturday, November 16, 2019, at Logan Temple AME Zion Church from 2:30 to 3:30 will funeral services to follow. Rev. Sam Brown officiating. Interment Monday, November 18, 2019, 2pm at the East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on John Sevier Highway.
A full military service will be held Monday, January 6, 2020, at East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, 2200 E Governor John Sevier Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37920, to honor his service to his country and celebrate the day he was born.
Arrangements by Jarnigan & Son Mortuary