Willie Joe Sledge

Willie Joe Sledge was born on July 14, 1956 at The Dickey Clinic in Taylor, TX to Woodrow and Phelonese Sledge.

He grew up on Murphy Street apart of the “Murphy Street Crew.”

He professed his life to Christ and united with The First Baptist Church of Taylor, TX., at a young age.

He and his wife later united with Shoreline Church in Austin, TX where he was a faithful member for ten years.

His mother Phelonese sledge opened, owned and operated a store and Café for teenagers to purchase food and hang out and she named this business after her only son, “Joe’s Eat A Bite’, AKA “The Stand”.

He started his education at O.L. Price School in Taylor, Texas and soon transitioned to 12 th Street School, Taylor Middle School and Taylor High School. After high school he attended TSTI Technical School in Waco, Texas.

He me t and married Cristina Valdez on September 16, 1983 and they resided here in Taylor, Texas for thirty-eight years.

He began his career at Taylor Manufacturing Company where he was a faithful employee for many years. As his career progressed, he went on to become a Welder at Starks Welder & Manufacturing in Georgetown, Texas, where he remained a faithful employee until he retired in 2016.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Woodrow and Phelonese Sledge, grandparents, Andrew and Adell Chambers, Joe and Viola Sledge, Willie Johnson and his oldest sister, Joyce Marie Hill. His Father and Mother-in-law Crespin Valdez Sr. and wife Margaret, sister-in-law Gloria Valdez-Gipson and Husband Ronald Gipson.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Cristina Sledge, sister Janice LaFaye Robinson (Herbert); and sister, Bonnie Jean Nzeka all of Taylor, TX; adopted brother, Kingsley Akiode of Cedar Park, TX; nieces, Janet Fontaine Scales of Round Rock, TX; Anissa Renee Robinson of Georgetown, TX; Sarah Danielle Nzeka of Taylor, TX; Sara Hernandez (Maurice) of Killeen, TX; Special nieces, Surran Gipson and Deatrice Gipson; Nephews, Daniel Nzeka Jr. (DJ) of Austin, TX; Joseph Nzeka of College Station, TX, Tunde Akiode ( Ceceillia ) of Temple, TX and Jermaine “Beetle” Gipson; four great nephews, Tason Robinson, Tyjamalic Wright, Jaevin and Treylin Wilson; one great niece , Nevaeh Dansby; five “ special cousins, ” Jerry Brockington, Jimmy Brockington, Gale Williams,  Bobbie McLamb and Brenda Hennington ; a host of relatives and friends.

Willie Joe Loved, to Barbecue for family and friends , he also loved “ Frankie Beverly & Maze and of course “The Dallas Cowboys.”

• Celebration of life will be livestreamed and accessible via Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/taylorprovidence