I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course,

I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV)

Rev. Willie D. Hankins went from labor to reward January 31, 2012.

He was born June 17, 1939 in Tuscumbia, Ala. the oldest of 8 children to the late Novella Horrison and the late Harry D. Hankins.  Siblings: Sadie Mae Horrison, Andrew Horrison, Waco Horrision, Donnie Horrison, Bonnie Thompson, and Angela Horrison-Collier.

 He attended Elementary, Middle and High School in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

He enlisted in the United States Army in 1956 and was honorably discharged in 1959.

He married Ellen Crawley in 1961 and together they celebrated 51 years.  Rev. Hankins is the father of 4 children, Shelaine Parrish, Deloris (Charles) Jarmon, Cynthia Brackett, and Michael Hankins.  6  grandchildren  Ariese Trice, Keawna Douglas, Ronald Parrish Jr., Vincent  Hankins, Tiffanie Jarmon and Charles Jarmon Jr. and 4 great grandchildren Kayla Trice, Essence Napier, A’yanna Trice, and Clint Douglas Jr.

 He was employed at General Motors, Malleable Iron retiring in 1989 after 25 years of service.

Upon moving to Michigan he united with New Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, where he served under the direction of the late Rev. M T Thompson Sr., as Male Chorus Director, Sunday School Teacher, Trustee, and Deacon.  While serving faithfully in ministry he was called to preach the gospel. The Lord gave him a vision and he started a small mission at his home.  With that vision he and a handful of faithful members founded a church at 1210 N. 9^th  Street which later was named the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church. He pastored for 28 year at Mt. Sinai.   In 1987  Rev. Hankins was elected President of the Saginaw Valley Baptist District Congress of Christian Education and served for 10 years. He also served as Vice Moderator of the Saginaw Valley District Congress.

Others who will celebrate his memory are aunts, uncles, many nieces, nephews, his brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws, and many cousins. Also, The Mt. Sinai Church Family, Pastor Marvin T. Smith and The Mt. Olive Church Family, and numerous friends he has meet throughout the years. A very special cousin Henrietta Warren and special friend, Rev. Robert Harris.

He was predeceased by his parents, two sisters, Sadie M. Horrison, and Margaret Allen.

Visitation will be held at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church 1210 N. 9^th St. Friday,  February 3, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. until 8 p.m.with the family present from 6:00 p.m until 8:00 p.m.

Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 4, 2012 at Wolverine Headquarter Building, 615 S. Jefferson Ave., Pastor Marvin T. Smith  will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery. 

Special thank you to the Staff at Aleda VA Medical Center, and Covenant Cooper ICU and 3^rd Floor Staff.

Notification Published by Evans & Browne's Funeral Home

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