Willie “Bill” Belton Massey lived a full life, filling his days with education, communication arts, music, broadcasting, photography and love for his family.
Mr. Massey died peacefully Jan. 11, 2014, at home at the age of 81.
He grew up in a family with eight siblings and graduated from Lancaster Training High School in the class of 1950, then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1952 where he completed tours of duty in Korea and Vietnam. While in the Air Force Mr. Massey met and married Mae Trapps in 1956 and the couple was blessed with two children, Adrienne and Gregory.
After 20 years of service, Mr. Massey was discharged and moved to Palo Alto, Cali. He earned his associates degree in communications media from Consumnes River College in Sacramento, Cali. in 1974, then continued his education and obtained his bachelor’s degree, Magna Cum Laude, in broadcast communication arts from San Francisco State University in 1976. While there he was appointed program manager for the campus TV station, KSFS from 1975 to 1976.
In 1979, he earned his masters in broadcast communication arts and graduated first in his class, earning the prestigious Albert A. Johnson Award for academic excellence in broadcasting. He began working as the house manager for the Circle Star Theater in San Carlos, Calif. in 1982 and over those next four years he met many of the world’s greatest entertainers in the music business.
Mr. Massey enjoyed a productive career as a freelance photographer for ABC Sports. He could be seen on the sidelines of many Rose Bowl and San Francisco 49ers games taking pictures. In 1986, he began a 20-year career of service with the U.S. Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service as a district adjudication officer in San Jose, Calif.
He was born April 13, 1932, in Lancaster, S.C. and was preceded in death by his parents, John and Carrie Massey; son, Gregory (Hampton, VA); sisters, Orafina, Edwina and Gwendolyn; and brothers, Robert and Lloyd, both of Lancaster, S.C., Thomas of Plattsburg, N.Y. and John of Roanoke.
He leaves to cherish his memories his daughter, Adrienne S. Jackson (Ron); brother, William “Bunchie” (Madeline), of Montreal, Canada; grandsons, Karlos Massey and Joshua Jackson; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, relatives and friends from his extended family in the Carolina’s.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, 2014, at Whiting’s Chapel. Inurnment will take place at Hampton Memorial Gardens, 155 Butler Rd. Hampton, VA 23666. There will be a gathering of family and friends immediately following the burial service at 113 Jackson Street, Williamsburg.
Please leave online condolences for the family at Whiting’s Funeral Home.
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