Willie (Sonny) L. Rankin Jr., 63, of Toledo, Ohio entered eternal rest on September 21, 2018. He was born on July 16, 1955 to the late Willie L. Rankin Sr. and Emma L. Rankin. Willie was preceded in death by his father Willie L. Rankin Sr., sister Brenda, and nephew Miquel.

Willie accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of Mt. Pilgrim Church. As a child, he was a Jr. Usher. Later during his Christian journey, he sang in the choir and served as a Greeter until he became ill.

Willie was a member of the Laborers Local 500 Union where he proudly worked in the construction industry for 30 years until he retired in 2015. He was on the Executive Board of the Local 500. In addition, Willie was a member of Alcohol Anonymous (AA) serving in a leadership role, setting an example of how one can stumble and fall, get up, and lift someone else up on the way. Willie also served as a counselor and mentor for Chapter V and other organizations. He was committed to helping others overcome life’s challenges.

Meeting people and striking up a conversation came natural to Willie. He was a talker and great story teller. He would spend hours with his nieces and nephews sharing stories about his Great Aunt Arnetta and all the things she taught him that helped mold him. He told stories of his neighborhood buddies like Milton, Little James, Dirty Red, Punchy, Randy, David, George, and many others. Fashion was his claim to fame, making a statement wherever he went. Willie was an avid reader. He loved reading history books, maps, and of course the Holy Bible. He could have been a History teacher.

Willie enjoyed roller skating and could skate with the best of them. As a child, he began skating at the Rollercade on Sundays. After the Rollercade closed, Swayne Hall was the spot, then Ohio Skate. While Willie enjoyed skating in Toledo, he really enjoyed skating with the Detroit folks. His best move was sliding across the middle of the floor and stop on a dime.

Willie leaves to cherish his memory, mother Emma L. Rankin, brothers: Terry and Steven of Toledo, Ohio, sister: Sheila of Cincinnati, Ohio; aunts: Ada Rogers, Earline Moore, Geraldine (Terry) Moore, all of Toledo, Ohio; Joanne Stubbs, Maryanne (Randolph) Dampeer, and Vera Manuel, all of Mendenhall, Mississippi; one uncle, Felix DeWalt of Toledo, Ohio; great aunt Madie Jaynes of Chicago, Illinois; nieces Lewanna, Teal, Devin, Terron, Shante, Megan, Teagan, Zanashaia, Jainah, Reanna, Emani, Amelia and Desiree: nephews Jerome, Chris, Miquel Jr., Darrien, Vidal, Kievon, Zavan, Brylen, and Sebastian close cousins Margell Campbell, Velma White, and a host of other relatives and friends.