Rev. Elder Willie Louis Strayhorn Biography March 16, 1925, in the small country town of Gates, Tennessee, a handsome baby boy was born to Aaron and Charlotte M Strayhorn. Willie Louis Strayhorn was the eldest of his 9 siblings. He had five sisters and two brothers by his mother – and two half-sisters by his stepmother. On May 9, 1937 the Strayhorn Family moved to Cincinnati Ohio, where he received his high school education. During World War II, he was drafted into the US Navy where he proudly served his country. Upon being discharged from the Navy, he sought to further his education. He earned certificates in Commercial Refrigeration Servicing, the Principles of Air Conditioning and in Radio and Televisions from New York Technical Institute of Cincinnati. He later earned a Bachelor's of Theology Degree from Temple Bible College in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Lord blessed Rev. Strayhorn with his beautiful, loving wife Roberta. The Lord also entrusted him with ten wonderful children who came to him by blood, adoption, step, and foster: Patricia McCoy , Kathleen Freeman (William), Charlotte Strayhorn, Charles Chapple, Sherry Bennet (Robert) Theresa Chapple, Pastor James R. Strayhorn (Dianne), Curtis Strayhorn, Pastor William Hagan (Carolyn), and Robert (Tammy) Huckleby. When Willie Louis Strayhorn was 9 years old, he became a member of the St. Mark Baptist Church in Gates, Tennessee. In 1937, after the family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, they became members of the First Antioch Baptist Church. Then in 1946, at the age of 21, he was Born Again by Spirit of God, Baptized, and rejoined the First Antioch Baptist Church. From the time Rev. Strayhorn was a small child, he always enjoyed singing. He organized the Bright Star Spiritual Singers in 1950, served 12 years as president of the Queen City Quartet Association of Cincinnati, Ohio, and became Board Chairmen of Ohio State Quartet Convention and Board member and Choir Director for the National Quartet Convention of America. Rev. Strayhorn received his calling to preach the Gospel and minister to God's people. In November of 1954 he became licensed and in 1962 he was ordained by the First Antioch Baptist Church in Cincinnati. Then, in November of that same year he became Pastor of Salem Baptist Church. He also accepted his calling to be the Spiritual Adviser and Director for Cincinnati Choral Youth Union. After Rev. Strayhorn became Pastor of Salem Baptist Church, there were many monumental changes that lay ahead. In May of 1963, the Holy Spirit spoke to Rev. Strayhorn saying, "change the name of the church and move from this location, 2019 Vine Street, and I will bless you." Out of obedience to the Holy Spirit he changed the name of the church from The Salem Baptist Church to The Bright Star Missionary Baptist Church and moved to 841 Findlay St. – and blessed they were indeed. Praise the Lord! Led by the Lord, in 1967, a new home for the Bright Star Baptist Church was purchased and renovated at 809 Charlotte St. Twenty years later, in 1987, the Lord blessed Pastor Willie Strayhorn with a vision to build a new edifice to the glory of God. After many trials and tribulation the congregation, led by Rev. Strayhorn, marched into their new home on the second Sunday of October 1988 singing and praising God; declaring to be The Star in the West leading people to Christ. The Lord blessed Pastor Willie Strayhorn to serve three years as the Moderator for the Cincinnati District of the Progressive National Baptist Convention. God also called Pastor Strayhorn to serve 27 years as Pastor Administrator for Christ's Community in College Hill, a compassionate outreach ministry. By God's Grace he was able to lovingly serve people's needs in College Hill. The outreach was sponsored by five churches in the area: the Episcopal, Presbyterian, Catholic, Methodist, and the Christian Churches. In May 1992 Pastor Willie L. Strayhorn believed he was mandated by the Lord to go into Queens Gate Correctional Institution and share the Good News about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This ministry was carried on for 18 years. It was a most rewarding experience for Pastor Strayhorn. He and the brothers of Bright Star felt so blessed each Monday night as they witnessed the love and power of Jesus Christ. They watched as the Holy Spirit moved and worked; satanic burdens were lifted, the devil's yokes where broken, and souls were saved. Praise the Lord! Through Bright Star Baptist Church, Christ Community and the Prison Ministry, God directed Pastor Willie Strayhorn to teach, preach, counsel, and urge many souls to Christ. Between his many ministries he was able to hold on and assist many people in their time of need and touch the hearts of thousands of children. Pastor Strayhorn received many awards of honor and appreciation. One which he is most proud of is the Pastor of The Year Award, which was presented to him in 1994 by The Baptist Ministers Conference Cincinnati Ohio and Vicinity. Pastor Willie Strayhorn served several years as Chairperson for Baptist Ministers Conference as Annual Citywide Revival Workshop Chairman. In 2005, after 42 years of pastoring the Church, and with the permission of the Holy Spirit, Pastor Willie Strayhorn saw the need for his retirement. Being led by the Holy Spirit he also encouraged the Church to call his son, James R Strayhorn, as the new Pastor for The Bright Star Missionary Baptist Church. The Church acted according to the leading of the Holy Spirit and called James R Strayhorn to be the new Pastor – he accepted. Rev. Strayhorn was very, very joyful to pass the mantel over to his son. FOUNDER, BUILDER AND PASTOR ACT 2:17 [NIV] PETER REPEATING JOEL, SAID, In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Rev. Strayhorn said; "Well I was once young, and I grew old; so I've been blessed to enjoy both visions and dreams." ACT 26:19 Whereupon, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision. Rev. Strayhorn said "In my life I was like Paul, I was not disobedient unto God's heavenly vision. I followed His visionary direction." Everyone who knew Rev. Strayhorn, knows that he was a faithful and dedicated Pastor and Elder until his health failed him. Those who celebrate his home going are his loving children: Patricia McCoy, Charles Chapple, Charlotte Strayhorn, James (Dianne) Strayhorn, Curtis Strayhorn, and Robert (Tammy) Huckleby. His brothers Aaron Strayhorn, Ernest Strayhorn, sisters Sadie Strayhorn, Flossie Geralds, Mary Morris and a host of grand-children, great grand-children, great great grand-children, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. His children Kathleen Freeman, Theresa Chapple, and Sherry Bennet and his sisters Dorothy Childress, Marion Barnes, and Daisy Tyus all preceded him in death. One of Elder Willie Strayhorn's Favorite Songs: He has done so much for me I JUST CAN'T TELL IT ALL! And now with the aid of the Holy Spirit Our Father, Pastor, Elder, Brother and Friend is going To Glory, to be with The Lord. Written by Elder Willie L. Strayhorn, 2010 Funeral Services at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 18 at TRYED STONE NEW BEGINNING CHURCH, 5550 Reading Road, Cincinnati (45237). Interment will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church. Arrangements entrusted to Walker Funeral Home. Share special messages with the Strayhorn family at www.HerbWalker.com.

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