Willie Lee "Billy" Page III

Bro. Willie Lee "Billy" Page III ,65 , departed this life on Wednesday May 16, 2018 in Durham NC. He was the husband of Ramona Page, the father of Jamaal Legette, Tonia Page Woodard, Shelley Page, Willie Darnell Page, Willie Lee Page Smith, Shawnte Smith and Lauren Thompson. You may visit the family at 4244 Three Bridge Rd. Mullins, SC.

Funeral services are scheduled to be held at the CD Joyner Auditorium 221 Elizabeth St. Marion, on Wednesday May 23, 2018 at 10:30am. He will be laid to rest in the Florence National Cemetery, Florence, SC.

Military honors will be done by The Veterans Honor Guard of Florence.

At the request of the family please send all live flowers to the Jackson & McGill Funeral Home 612 S. Main St. Marion SC 29571 or you may make a donation to the Duke Cancer Fund Institute, Office of Development 710 W. Main St. Suite 200, Durham, NC 27701 the website is www.dukecancerinstitute.org, Make donations in honor of Willie L. (Billy) Page III or you may make a personal donation to New Ebenezer AME Church 528 N. Smith St. Mullins SC 29574

Reflections of a Lifetime

"Congratulations, Alexzenia and Willie! It's a boy!" Alexzenia gazed with adoration at her baby boy and smiled as she pondered in her heart about his future.

"Willie, isn't he the most handsome baby boy you've ever seen?"

"That's my boy!"

"What should we name him?"

"Why, name him after me, of course."

"Willie Lee Page, III.  That's your name.  Willie, do you suppose that our son will turn out to be a good man?"

"No.  He will be much more.  He will be a great man.  He will be a remarkable man.  He will be...a legend."

Willie L. "Billy" Page was born on July 20, 1952, in Marion County, SC.  He was the son of the late Willie L. and Alexzenia Page.  

Billy attended the public schools of Mullins, SC and was among the last graduating class of Palmetto High School (1970). During his high school years, he excelled and lettered in football.  He attended South Carolina State College and was a member of the Bulldog football team.

From 1971-1975, he served in the United States Marine Corp and was honorably discharged.  Later he served in the Army National Guard, during which time he was deployed for Operation Desert Storm.

Billy spent many years dedicating his service to the community through law enforcement.  He worked as a State Trooper from 1977-1979, and for the Mullins Police Department from 1980 to 1994.  He then transitioned to the Marion County Sheriff's Office as Chief Deputy to the late sheriff Bud Richardson (1994-2000).  

Then history was made.  In 2000, the citizens of Marion County elected Billy Page as the first African American sheriff, and he served in this office through 2004.

Billy was a dedicated member of New Ebenezer A.M.E Church in Mullins, SC, where he served on the trustee board, sang in the choir, and helped in whatever capacity he was needed.  

He was a member of the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club for 17 years, participating in many community service events, serving as president and historian, and helping others, all while doing what he loved.

Billy loved to have fun and he had an incredible sense of humor.  Even in his lowest moments, he always wore an infectious smile.  He has touched the lives of many people, and will never be forgotten.  His presence will be missed tremendously.

Left to cherish his memories are: his wife, Ramona Page; seven children, Jamaal (Jessica) Legette of Fayetteville, NC, Tonia (Ruffin) Woodard of Spartanburg, SC, Shelley Page of Mullins, SC, Willie Darnell Page of Mullins, SC, Willie Lee Page Smith of Los Angeles, California, Shawnte Le'Page Smith of Mullins, SC, and Lauren Thompson of Columbia, SC; fourteen grandchildren: Joshua, Jenni, and Joseph Legette, Taylor, Darby, and Jackson Woodard, Jada, Madison, Mariah Blue, and Maddox Page, Landen, Ethan, and Riley Page, and Autumn Marie Benjamin; his loving big sister, Cynethia "Cookie" Page of Orangeburg, SC; his niece and great-nieces Lakisha, Cynethia, and Caelyn Morton; brothers and sisters-in-law: Cynthia (Michael) Leonard, Gabriel (Lynne) Gore, Marshall (Cathye) Gore, and Jacqueline (Herbert) Page; long-time friend, Bruce Williams; special friend and caregiver: Rosena Nelson; a brother and sister-in-law who preceded him in death, Mary (Raymond) Freeman; and a host of other relatives and friends.  

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