Willie James Donahue

Mr. Willie James Donahue, 82, was called home to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 16th, 2021, after an extended illness. His wife of 15 years, Brenda Donahue, was by his side until the end as she had been for the last 22 years. Willie, affectionately known as Pop, was born May 15th, 1939, in Denham Springs, Louisiana to Warner and Pearl Donahue. He came to Saginaw, Michigan at a young age where he began his career at General Motors Saginaw Malleable Iron Foundry where he worked for 34 years. He was a member of UAW Local 455. Willie retired from Malleable Iron in 1998. He gave his life to Christ many years ago at Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Willie R. Hill, Jr. He served as Pastor Hill’s Usher. Willie “Pop” Donahue loved fishing, watching Westerns, visiting his friends, and being around family.

Willie leaves to cherish loving memories his devoted wife, Brenda Donahue; children: Emalda Hayes and Joann LeBray of Louisiana, Yolanda (Marlon) Smith of Georgia, Rodney Sr. (Angela) Donald of Michigan; grandchildren: Dwandra, Chinelle, Johnny, Tyleda, Felicia Donahue, and Timothy Coleman Sr. all of Atlanta, Georgia, Rodney Jr. (Danielle) Donald and A’Tonia Donald of Canton, Michigan, Daelyn Sumpter, Christian Harris, and Aubriel Harris all of Michigan; great-grandchildren, Timothy Coleman Jr., Jheden Donahue, and Brielle Benjamin all of Georgia, Averi and Laila Donald of Michigan; nieces: Sherry and Stafford Brown of Texas, Edna (Isaac) Castaneda, and Elaine Stephens of Washington, Shirley Mart Perrod of Ohio, Joann (Ralph) Battle of Michigan, and Joyce DeVance; nephews: Ronald Kitchen, Marcus DeVance of Michigan, Akoa and Hasson Donahue of Texas; mother-in-law, Mary Donald; godparents, Tommie Lee (Johnnie Mae) Essex; friends, Joe and Lavern Chandler, Allen and Kathy Warner, J.B. Davis, and Bro. McDole; and very special friends, Robert Davis, Althea Davis, and Margaret Stuckett.

Willie was preceded in death by his parents Warner and Pearl Donahue; sisters, Francis Donahue, Edith Kitchen, Lucinda Green, Ethel Lee Richardson, Beulah DeVance, brother, Walter Donahue, and special friend, Edgar Williams Stuckett.

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