Willie James Mayfield Sr. was born in Greensboro, North Carolina at L. Richardson Hospital on October 8, 1952 to the late Rosetta and Joshua Mayfield Sr. He departed his earthly home on November 3, 2020 at Guilford Healthcare Center. Raised by his Aunt Bert, Willie spent his childhood in Greensboro, NC where he received his formal education at Gillespie Junior High and later graduated from Ben E. Smith High School with the c/o '72. Willie worked as the head cook of Wesley Long Hospital, Moses Cone Hospital, and Duff's Buffet, as well as a foreman at Curtis Packing Company, Cedar Mill Saw Plant and finally retired from Parker Hannafin.

Willie was a loving and devoted father, brother, friend, and husband, who made you laugh every time you saw him. He was loved by all who knew him and always went above and beyond to make sure his loved ones had what they needed. He enjoyed family gatherings and spending time with friends, each moment captured in his vast collection of photos. Any time spent with Willie you would instantly notice that he loved to cook, travel, draw, and dance whenever the music hits him. He greatly enjoyed his collection of movies, comic books, and music.

He had a passion for life and lived it well. He was one of the best story tellers, each story dripped in his humor and passion. Willie was well respected and a great man who always made you laugh when he was around.

Willie was also preceded in death by his stepmother Della Phelps, Aunt Alberta Grant, brothers Archie Phelps, Joshua Mayfield Jr, John Mayfield and sisters, Melody K. Phelps, Bessie Cunningham, Shirley Ann Phelps Hines, as well as his goddaughter Tawanna Rasberry.

Willie is survived by his wife Clara Taylor Mayfield, his first wife, Joanne Mclaurin Holcomb and their 2 children, Willie James Mayfield Jr. and Daphne Mclaurin (Eric), along with his 5 grandchildren, Jeremy Gilliam, Trevaughn Mayfield, Jada Gilliam, Kayllie Mayfield, and Jaxson Gilliam.

Willie leaves to cherish a legacy of love to his 2 brothers, James "Peter" Phelps (Evelyn) of Reidsville, NC, Franklin Mayfield (Wanda) of Greensboro, NC, his seven sisters, MaeLois Phelps Baker (John), Deborah Phelps Britto-Aliu (Dee), Gail Phelps, Norma Jean Phelps, Linda Phelps Chavis (Jerry), Glenda Phelps Martin (Tony) all of Greensboro, NC and Karen Phelps Nembhard (Mark) of Virginia Beach, VA, and his honorary brother and best friend, Joseph Johnson. Willie also has a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, as well as other relatives and friends.

Willie will be greatly missed by all and we thank our Heavenly Father for allowing us the many years that we had with him. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord and we know that his soul is well and dancing in heaven.

A public viewing will take place on Friday, November 13, 2020 from 3pm-6pm in the Cassie Coote-Brown Memorial Chapel of Perry J. Brown Funeral Home. A private service honoring his life will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2020.