Retired Sergeant First Class Willie E. Washington , 80, of Woodbridge, Virginia, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2022, at his home.

Willie, son of the late Charlie and Willie Teal Washington, was born  April 21, 1942, in Brookhaven, Mississippi. He grew up in Brookhaven and attended Alexander High School, graduating in 1962. Willie ran track and played the bass drum in the high school's band. Before he was drafted, Willie worked as an orderly at King's Daughters Hospital. This led to his career as a medic in the U.S. Army.

He retired honorably from the military in 1986 after 20 years of service and from the U.S. Postal Service in 2008 after 20 years of service.

Willie met his life partner, Ron Goode, in 1979. They were married in December, 2018.

Willie loved children and was always concerned about their happiness and well-being. If he saw a child struggling, left behind or left out, he wanted to help them or just make them laugh. He had a special way of connecting with them. He was affectionately known by his nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and extended family as Uncle Willie, Uncle Sonny, Uncle Will-lye, Weebee, and Skinny Man.

Willie was an avid tennis fan. He and Ron attended nine U.S. Open tournaments in Queens, New York; one French Open tournament in Paris; and numerous Citi Open (formerly Legg Mason) tournaments in Washington, D.C., where Willie had full series box seats. His fellow box seat holders confirmed that he would be in his seat every day, all day long, from the first match to the last one.

Preceding him in death are his brothers Charlie Washington, Jr. and his wife Cocina of Chicago, Illinois; Marco Washington (Carol) of Chicago; one sister, Katherine Green of Stafford, Virginia; and his father-in-law John T. (Carolyn) Goode, Sr.

Willie leaves to celebrate his life and cherish his memory his loving spouse, Ron Goode of Woodbridge; siblings, Ruth Mary Washington of Chicago; George Arthur Washington of Stafford, Virginia; and Lee Anthony Washington (Terrie) of  Colonial Heights, Virginia; two sisters-in-law, Carol Washington of Chicago and Terrie Washington of Colonial Heights; mother-in-law Carolyn Goode of Woodbridge, Virginia; brother-in-law, John T. Goode, Jr. of Alexandria, Virginia, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins-in-law and friends.

A viewing will be held at A.L. Bennet and Son Funeral Home, 200 Butternut Drive, Fredericksburg, VA, on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at 10:00 AM followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM. Click here to view a recording of the funeral service. The interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 11:00 AM.