William Andrew Canada

Service Details

William A. Canada, 95, passed away in the Villa at Lincoln Park on Friday, December 4, 2020. His Homegoing Service will be held in the funeral home on Thursday, December 10^th at 6:00 p.m. There will be a visitation from 5:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Due to the COVID 19 Pandemic there will be a limit of 25 people in the chapel at the time of the service. However, the service will be live streamed  starting at 6:00 p.m. on that Thursday. https://youtu.be/AzXES_FpQ40

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William Andrew Canada (Red) departed this life on Friday, December 4, 2020.  He was a humble man who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. Born on May 2, 1925 in Wetumpka, AL to the blessed union of Freeman and Willie Edna (Henderson) Canada, he was the oldest of seven children.  William and his siblings were raised in a Christian home where he and his brother Sam learned to play the guitar. At an early age he began wearing cowboy hats and western style shirts.

In 1942, at the age of 17, William showed his union with Jesus Christ by being baptized in Four Mile Creek in Wetumpka, AL.  He quickly put his acceptance of Christ into action by serving as an usher at Baptist Tabernacle Church. His daughter, Maggielene, proudly recalls hearing her dad play the guitar at church. His favorite hymns are “I Keep On Toiling” and “Walk With Me LORD”.  William further demonstrated his discipleship by “praying every night”, exemplifying patience, self-control, and being content in most situations.

William married Roberta and to their union Lee, Ricky, Glenda, and Maggielene were born in Alabama. In 1953, he was employed as a lumber jack, operating cross-cut chain saws and measuring logs. The Alabama lumber company he was employed at moved to Lumber City, Georgia. Two years later William continued as a lumber jack at Glenn Terry Lumber Company in Waycross, GA. We thank God that daddy relocated with that company to Darien, GA in 1955 where he met and married Sarah Rutherford. Five children were born to their union Verletha, Idona, Marvin, Wonza, and Garcia.  In 1966, the couple joined “The Great Migration”; the family moved to Racine, WI, where William did foundry work at Belle City Steel Company.  When workers went on strike, he didn’t want to cross the pick line; however, he wanted to provide for his family. God blessed him to acquire a night shift position at the Pfister Tannery in Milwaukee, WI. His last employment was at the black owned gas station, Mason Service Station.

After retirement in 1982, William enjoyed numerous activities.  He took trips to Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, and California. On Saturday evenings he enjoyed listening to Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Goin’ On” and “One Dozen Roses” by the Mills Brothers. He rode his bike approximately 6 miles daily until he was 86 years old.  His later years were spent putting puzzles together and playing Bingo. When asked how he wanted to be remembered he said, “I don’t throw a rock then hide my hand.”

William leaves to celebrate his life and legacy: children Lee, Maggielene (Joe), Verletha, Idona, Marvin (Kimberly), Wonza, and Garcia (Andre, Sr.); God Son Tommy Scruggs (Fish); 27 grandchildren, 49 great grandchildren; 6 great great grandchildren; ex-wife Sarah Lowrey; special nieces Barbara Ann Williams, Dorothy Bynum, Brendolyn Payne, Bridget McCullough, and Donyale Barrett who called him regularly, and a host of other nieces, nephews, extended family; his traveling buddy Willie James Weaver, and friends. He is survived by one sister Dorothy Campbell. William was preceded in death by his parents Freeman and Willie Edna; two children, Ricky and Glenda; 2 sisters, Stella and Barbara; four brothers, Willie Gene, Isaiah, Samuel, and infant brother; 2 grandchildren, Jackie and Kendra and 5 great newborns.

We believe when death came our dad said, “Thank you God for giving me the victory (over death) through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (based upon I Corinthians 15:57)

We wish to thank everyone who called, prayed, sent cards and flowers. To God be the glory for blessing us with William Andrew Canada.