Dr. Clarence E. Willie, Sr., Lieutenant Colonel, United States Marine Corps, Retired was born in Wilmington, North Carolina. His father served in the United States Air Force, and as a child Clarence traveled with his family throughout the United States and Europe. In 1962, he graduated from the American high school in Bitburg, Germany. Clarence returned with his family to Rapid City, South Dakota, where his father continued to serve in the United States Air Force.

He left South Dakota to attend Fayetteville State Teachers College where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in history. Dr. Willie was also a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Following graduation and marriage to his wife Wilma, he taught school with the Raeford County school system for two years.

He then joined the United States Marine Corps and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. He had successful command and staff assignments around the world, serving with the Marine Corps overseas in Okinawa and with the United States Navy on extended combat cruises. He concluded his military service with a joint service assignment with the US European Command while assigned to the Defense Communications Agency in Stuttgart, Germany, and finally retired at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina.

Dr. Willie continued his career in education and he returned to the classroom for a short period of time, ultimately being selected as Principal of Jones Central High School.

In 1966, after serving with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, he moved to Brunswick County and became the Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Operations. During this period, he completed graduate studies at East Carolina University and was awarded a Doctorate of Education. He was then selected for consecutive superintendent positions in Summerton and Fairfield Counties, South Carolina.

Dr. Willie retired from education in 2007 and embarked on a career as interviewer and consultant for a Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) documentary production entitled, The Marines of Montford Point: Fighting for Freedom. The production chronicled the experiences of the first African Americans to serve as United States Marines. The documentary aired nationally and was narrated by Academy Award winning actor, Louis Gossett, Jr.

His last significant professional achievement was his authorship and publishing of the book African American Voices from Iwo Jima: Personal Accounts of The Battle. The book featured eleven veterans who were among nearly 1,000 African Americans who participated in the World War II Battle of Iwo Jima and whose service was largely unknown. His book targeted the omission of the gallant and heroic service of young men who recounted their experiences during the Battle of Iwo Jima and their lives after returning home.

Dr. Willie is married to the former Wilma Cheston of Trenton, North Carolina. Their son Clarence E. Willie, Jr. graduated from the United States Naval Academy, and their daughter Traci is Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.