Willie Minter

Willie Dewayne Minter was born January 18, 1968 the oldest child to a loving mother, Carolyn Minter who preceded him death. He would affectionately be called “Bender” and would credit his grandparents Willie and Louise Minter for having a strong hand in raising him.
Bender confessed hope in Christ at an early age and was baptized at Bethel Baptist Church under the late Pastor Johnny Ware.  Bender knew the value of having Christ in his life and attended church services regularly. He recently recommitted his life to Christ and accepted GOD’s will for his life.
He was a product of the Bessemer City School System attending Dunbar and J.S. Abrams High School.
Bender found joy in life and loved people. His greatest joy came with the birth of his beautiful twin daughters Latonya and Latoya Randall. He was a father and mentor to Monterrius Minter.
He found his life partner and soul mate in Ann Crawford. He and Ann spent over 18 years together in love and commitment until his death. During this union he became a father to three, grandfather to seven and great grandfather.
Bender was always the life of every family gathering; he would always find ways to make everyone laugh. Bender would dress up in different characters and personalities that never allowed for a boring moment or dull moment. He was Billie the Kid to Bert, Clyde of Bonnie and Clyde to Pep. All the kids knew when Bender came around there would be fun times.
During his illness, you could hear him say “Aint no sick and shut in in here.” He lived life to the fullest, until the very end, his strength, fight and wit brought a smile to all that came to visit him.
He departed this life on this 50 th birthday January 18, 2018 surrounded by family and friends.
Bender was preceded in death by his grandparents Willie and Louise Minter, brother Cornelius (Mookie) Minter, aunt Hattie Glenn; uncles Gene Minter, Willie Minter and Renardo Pratt; a very special cousin Jeffery Glenn.
He leaves to cherish his memories:  a devoted spouse, Ann Crawford; daughters Latonya and Latoya Randall, Crystal and Tabatha Crawford; son, Bernard Crawford all of Birmingham, AL; loving sisters, LaVecchia (Samuel Fluker) Minter of Bessemer, AL and Marie (Thomas) Stoves of Oak Grove, AL; brother, Gene (Tasheda)Minter; 7 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; aunts, Dorothy Pinkard, Cynthia Brown of Bessemer, AL, and Inez (Alfred) Earl of Mobile, AL; great aunts Bessie Pendleton and Ethel Garner of Mobile, Alabama.