On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 10:15 a.m. Willie Lewis Palmer, Jr. peacefully transitioned from this earthly life at his sister’s house surrounded by his lovingly family members.
At the age of 16, Willie was baptized and joined Mt. Nebo Baptist Church in Surry, Virginia. He was educated in the public schools of Surry County, Virginia, He later started working at Smithfield Packing Co. and the Newport News Shipbuilding and the Naval Yard. He eventually started working his dream job of driving trucks. He drove for a moving company and Pet Ice Cream company. He was always a faithful and dedicated worker.
Willie is preceded in death by his parents Lillian L. and Willie L. Palmer Sr.; four brothers, Alan Palmer, Leroy Palmer, Johnnie Earl Palmer, and Nelson Palmer; and one sister Perlene Palmer.
He is survived by three sons, Michael Pelk of Smithfield, Tony Shumaker of Newport News, and Thomas Shumaker of Texas; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two stepdaughters, Latasha Robinson and Shawanda Robinson; sisters, Deacon Evelyn L. Washington (Lorenzo), Linda Palmer, and Edith Walters (Larry), all of Williamsburg, VA; three aunts, Viester Ruspus, Jeanie Stevenson, and Deacon Perlene Montgomery; three uncles, Waverly Palmer, Milton Palmer, and Otis Palmer; a very special devoted and loving friend Jewel Davis of Newport News, VA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A service to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Whiting’s Funeral Home. Interment to follow in the Davis Family Cemetery, 1653 Lebanon Road, Spring Grove, VA 23881. Mr. Palmer may be viewed from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday in the funeral home.
