Willie Franklin Fields, Sr.

Willie Franklin Fields, Sr.. of Gainesville, VA, was born in The Plains, VA, on June 14, 1928 (Flag Day) to Charles Joseph and Mary Alice Fields.  He was the youngest of the Fields brothers.  The birth of order was Thomas (deceased), Ernest (deceased).  He also had several other siblings from the mother’s previous marriage (Mitchell) who are deceased.

Willie grew up in the church as a small boy surrounded by a host of preachers and ministers.  He accepted Christ at a young age and was baptized.  The Fields Brothers loved to sing for the Lord and each had their own style of singing. He self-taught himself to play various types of guitars. He was a lead singer with numerous gospel groups throughout the area, culminating with the last group, The Spiritual Harmonizers of Northern Virginia.  He was on fire for the Lord and sang at many occasions throughout the community and various states.  His passion was to let people know about the Lord through song.  “Reach one, teach one” was his aim for traveling and singing.  He served as a Deacon at Oakrum Baptist Church, Thoroughfare, VA and later transitioned to Mt Pleasant Baptist Church. Gainesville, VA to be with his wife.

Willie married Inez Isadore Moore on March 14, 1948, and was blessed with four children; Willie Jr., Francine, Loretta and Charles.  He spoke of the joy and love of meeting his wife through her father and the good times they had with the families. 

He was a diehard mechanic and that was his profession.  He was trained as an international service mechanic and worked in the DMV area specializing in Volvo automobiles.  With this profession he owned and operated a bus company “Fields Bus Service” for twenty years. He transported people to Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, amusement parks, church services and wherever he was requested to go.  He had lots of bus stories to tell and stories about the drivers.  For vehicle repairs he constructed a garage at his home to make vehicle repairs.  Most people in the community knew him as the all-around mechanic. 

He is known in the community by many names, Pops, Dad, Uncle Willie, Deacon Fields and Mr. Fields.

Mr. Fields made his transition on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at his home in Gainesville, VA.

He leaves to cherish his loving memory, his wife, Inez Isadore Fields; his children: Willie, Jr. (Shirley), Francine Settle, Loretta Fields and Charles (Frances) and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren who loved him dearly. 

Family will receive friends on Saturday, January 28, 2023, from 10 am until 11 am with funeral services starting at 11 am at Oakrum Baptist Church, 16419 Thoroughfare Road, Broad Run, VA, 20137.  Rev. Leonard S. Morton, Sr. will deliver the eulogy.
 
Interment will be in Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery, Gainesville, VA.

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