Willie R. Pitts was born on March 22, 1937 to the late Miller and Louise Pitts in Laurens, South Carolina. Willie departed this life at Richmond Memorial Hospital on June 2, 2017 following a brief illness. Willie attended school in the Spartenburg County school system. He enlisted in the Army in 1955 and after an honorable discharge in 1957, moved to New York where he met and married Van Jeanne (nee Harris), who after 45 years of marriage preceded him in death on 1/17/2006. To this union 4 children were born. He worked at Nassau Smelting for 37 years before retiring. Willie was a great family man and a loving father. He worked tirelessly often working double shifts and weekends to provide for his family. Willie was a very loving, out going, full of life person and loved to help everyone. He is fondly remembered as the “Gentle Giant.” He loved to walk and often walked from the S.I. Ferry to Port Richmond to catch the bus to the Mall. He loved time with family, football, fishing and being a grandfather. He also loved to cook!! He was an avid coin collector and loved to discuss current events and amazing World facts, often found in the Guinness Book of World Records. Willie leaves to cherish his memories his children: Vanessa J. Pitts (NYC); Michael Pitts (Staten Island, NY); Valerie Pitts (New Jersey); Vincent Pitts (Pennsylvania), 2 sisters, 1 brother, 2 daughters-in-law (Cheryl & Jennifer), 17 grandchildren, 10 great-grand-children and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.