Willie Lee Vann Jr., state wrestling champ
Willie Lee Vann Jr., with his loving wife by his side, was called home by his Lord and Savior Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, while being treated at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes.
Willie was born Oct. 5,1954, to the late Willie Lee Vann Sr. and Edna Barbara Brittingham in Lewes at Beebe Hospital. Willie attended Dupont Elementary School, Lewes Junior High School and graduated from Cape Henlopen High School in 1973. While growing up Willie was fondly referred to by many loving nicknames. His mother like to call him Chuckey, but his friends and family would call him "Shoebee" and "Dewbert".
While in school, Willie was active in sports and showed a great deal of mental and physical toughness. Although small in stature, Willie liked playing football, but his true love was wrestling. In 1973 Willie made it to the state wrestling tournament championship match. Willie was the underdog when he faced an undefeated opponent. This opponent had beaten Willie in a close match earlier that year. However, on this night, Willie wrestled a brilliant match and handily defeated his opponent. Willie Vann was the first ever wrestler from Cape Henlopen High School to win a state championship. It was also in 1973 that Willie met his lifelong sweetheart and future wife Dorothy Lee, who was a cheerleader for the wrestling team.
After high school, Willie worked in the construction field as a block mason and concrete finisher. He continued his relationship with his high school sweetheart until they were married June 20, 1981. This union was blessed with the birth of one son, Willie "Omar" Vann, who Willie would affectionately refer to as "Son Junior." Willie was a loving father and really loved all of his family and friends. Willie was an easygoing person and always had a kind word for everyone. He always referred to nieces as "Sweet Pea or Baby Doll" and his nephews as “Sport." He was a devout football fan and loved to cheer for the Philadelphia Eagles. You always knew when the game was on because he would be talking to the television and giving the players advice on what play to run or defense to employ. Willie showed great courage and strength as he endured treatment for the cancer that would utlimately end his life. However Willie would not allow the cancer to break his spirit as he never gave up hope or the fight until the very end. He did not complain even when the pain he was feeling was almost too great for him to bear.
Willie knew that he needed to ask Jesus Christ for forgiveness of his sins. In December of 2011 Willie asked Jesus to forgive him and become his personal savior.
Willie was preceded in death by his mother Edna Barbara Brittingham; father Willie Lee Vann Sr.; sister Sheila Brittingham; and brother John "Tee" Brittingham. Left to share his memories are loving wife Dorothy Vann; son Willie Omar Vann; two granddaughters, Adrianna Vann and Tamara Vann; eight brothers, Herman Paynter of Lewes, Eugene Brittingham of Seaford, James Brittingham (wife Mirriam) of Dover, Kevin Brittingham (wife Antionette) of Milton, Kemp Brittingham (wife Threasa) and Wayne Van (wife Toni) of Maryland; four sisters, Victoria Gibbs (husband Clifford) of Lewes, Paulette Stevens (husband Donald) of Dover, Carla Harris (husband Michael) of Georgia and Peggy Marshall (husband Charles) of Roxanna; mother -in-law Francia Hillard of Milton; brothers-in-law Bernard Miller (wife Alison) of Lewes, Henry Miller (wife Teresa ) of Millsboro, Leroy Miller (wife Delores) of Claymont and Michael Hillard of Milton; sister in-law Janet Miller of Milton; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Viewing will be from 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 16, at Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Millsboro. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 17, at Mt. Zion Holy Church, 325 Front St., Milton, and friends and family may call two hours prior to service. Interment will be Henlopen Memorial Park Milton.
