Willie Arthur McClenton

January 17, 1938 - April 8, 2025

In the midst of the winter of 1938, Willie Arthur McClenton was born, the fourth of 8 children, to two loving parents; Edmond and Willie Jane McClenton. He was born at home and subsequently raised on the family farm, where he enjoyed a childhood teeming with time spent in nature, his favorite being riding and tending to his father's horses; and an abundance of quality time spent with family. This passion for horses was shared by his father and brother, and lent itself to other skills and laid the foundation for the strong work ethic he carried throughout his life. He fondly recalled being close to his mother (the closeness she shared with them all) and spending a great deal of time with his father (learning everything he could). He loved living and working on the farm, driving his father around, attending Sunday church services followed by dinners at grandma's house, and enjoyed attending school. Wil-Arthur, which he was fondly known by his family, was a good student and maintained perfect attendance. Others mirrored this sentiment describing him as pleasant, loving, and obedient. In moments of leisure, he played on a basketball team and joined his cousins in weekend baseball games. During his teenage years, he recalled hanging out at his grandmother's house, and "dating his Marva".

In September 1950 Willie married his high school sweetheart, Marva Dismukes. Shortly afterward the couple relocated to Washington, D.C. where they settled and raised a family. Their union birthed four beautiful children; Avis, Kenneth, Gary and Vicki. No stranger to hard work, Wil-Arthur implored his skills as a craftsman as his livelihood. He prided himself on his diligence and measures taken to provide for his family, working many jobs, most notably for PepsiCo, and the U.S. Capitol. He also invested his talents into entrepreneurial ventures, having established an iron/welding business, which he maintained for as long as his health permitted. According to one memory, he could build an entire bathroom from top to bottom, and taught the value of work ethic and punctuality.

Just as Willie Arthur McClenton took pride in his handiwork and physical labor, he also committed himself to labors of love. He was a proud adoring father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who recalled a feeling of excitement at the news of his first grandchild. Relishing in the close-knit family of his youth, he shared a similar essence with many people, born family and chosen family. Many can attest to the good deeds, favors, gifts (purchased and hand-made), advice, jokes, laughs, memories, and moments that will live on as a legacy.

Having loved God since his earliest years in Sunday school at New Hope Church and his final years at St. Mark A.M.E. Church, may his final prayer be one of comfort, encouragement, and hope for us all. "Yes God, until my last breath!".

Wil-Arthur was preceded in death by one grandchild (Charnice A.Milton), and leaves behind four children Avis, Kenneth (Francine), Gary (Lisa), Vicki; ten grandchildren: Avice, Jasmine, Tiffany, Wesley, Devin, Cameron, Julian, Jayden, Romeo, and Sakura; ten great-grandchildren: Giovanni, A'lilla, Marlie, Rylie , Jace, Kayden, Lauren, Spirit, Jahleel, A'zori, and four siblings: Mickey, JoAnne, Franklin, and Marion]and a host of relatives, and friends.