In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Theta Nu Legacy Scholarship Fund (Central Carolina Community Foundation)
Willie Lee Odom, of Columbia, South Carolina, often called “Colonel-O” or “Colonel” by friends entered into eternal rest on January 29, 2022 after a brief illness.
He was born in Barnwell County, South Carolina’s Red Oak community on November 9, 1955. He was a son of Edward Odom, Sr. and Eliza Odom, both of which preceded him to eternal rest. Willie received his early education at Butler Primary-Elementary and Guinyard-Butler Junior-High (7th- 8th grades). He made history as being in one of the first fully integrated classes of black and white students to graduate from Barnwell High School. He went on to attend the University of South Carolina – Salkehatchie Campus (Allendale) and Main Campus in Columbia, South Carolina.
Willie accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior as a pre-teen, later joined New Home Baptist Church. Subsequently, he became a member of First Nazareth Baptist Church in Columbia, SC where he was awarded for service to the community.
Willie was dedicated to serving his community by giving his time and talents to several organizations and causes. That call to serve attracted him to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, which he was initiated into in 1975 while attending the University of South Carolina. In 1986, Willie became a charter member of the second graduate Alpha Chapter in Columbia, South Carolina- Omicron Iota Lambda. If there was not a service project to participate in, Willie would initiate one. Voter registration was a favorite activity. Prior to serving as Board Member of the Family Shelter, Willie was President, Treasurer, Secretary and Committee Chair of all standing committees—a total of 15 years plus. Later, he was recruited to join the Board of South Carolina Fair Share, a statewide political action organization, serving as Treasurer. Willie was appointed to The Mayor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities (Columbia, SC) where he served as vice-chair.
Willie worked for several years at H & R block, helped open a tax office with friend and neighbor. Subsequently, he became a self-employed entrepreneur operating a tax business for over twenty five years in Columbia, SC. Music and entertainment was a passion of Willie’s as he was constantly involved in live performances, working behind the scenes with local, state, regional, national and international entertainers in various capacities. Willie was Treasurer of the Payton Family Reunion from 1984 – 2022. The Payton family reunion was established in 1959 in Barnwell, South Carolina.
More recently, Willie was appointed as treasurer of the Guinyard-Butler, Barnwell High Schools Reunion committee where he was an integral member of the Executive Planning Committee under the leadership of Edward Odom, Jr.
Celebrating His Life: Edward (Doreen)Odom, Jr.(dear brother) of Brooklyn, NY; Sisters (dearly loved); Helen Odom Raymond of Brooklyn, New York and Mary Odom McCarter of Greenville, North Carolina; four nephews, Malcolm Odom, Sr., Brooklyn, NY; Anthony (Carol)McCarter of Freeport, NY;
Terrell Odom and Ryan Odom, Brooklyn, NY; one grand-nephew, Malcolm Odom, Jr., Brooklyn, NY;
two Godchildren: Jason Brown and Stacey Brown of Columbia, SC; special daughter
Tara “Pumpkinseed” Randall Columbia, SC, and a host of other relatives and friends that include a
special friend, Greta A. Green.
Offering my deepest condolences to the family. Know that Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal. RIP Willie.
Love Pastor McKinley and Evangelist Gwendolyn H Neal
My deepest sympathy for Willie’s family. I’m sorry for your loss. We were in high school together and I remember him as being a very kind person. Praying for his family during this sad time. 🙏🏻❤️
My prayers to the family of Willie Odom. He was the epitome of service. May he rest in peace. Margaret Suber
You were the epitome of service and dedication. You walked your talk. Quiet but determined. Effective and never overbearing. RIP, my Alpha Brother Willie. Prayers to your family and the Fraternity for your loss.
Sincere condolences to the Odom Family. We will always remember Willie Lee and his gentle spirit. Our days spent together in Barnwell and New Home Baptist Church will always be cherished. God bless you all.
He’s no longer in all that pain. RIP
Willie. You kept the faith and served well. Sleep peacefully until the trumpet sounds.
Cynthia Walters
USC 1975
Condolences to the family. Willie walked quietly, humbly
and respectfully.
He will be missed.
My Deep Condolences are extended to Edward Odom and his entire family on the lost of your brother/loved one. May he rest in peace and his memories be with you. You God provide comfort to you during this time.
Fitzgerald Miller
My Condolences to Edward Odom and his family on the passing of his beloved brother Willie Odom. May God cover you all during this time of bereavement and give you all Peace and Comfort.
RIP Wille Odom.
My sincere condolences to the family. May your hearts be comforted in the memories and love you shared over his life. Willie, a great Friend with a humble heart and giving spirit. Peace be with each of you as you move forward.
Leona G Jones
My Condolences to the entire family, close relatives and friends of Willie Odom. May God give you Supernatural Strength, Comfort and Peace to get you through this time in your lives.
May Willie Odom🌹Rest in Jesus 💙🌹💙🙏🏾🙏🏾
My Condolences to the entire family, close relatives and friends of Willie Odoms. May God give you Supernatural Strength, Comfort and Peace to get you through this time in your lives.
May Willie Odos’s souk Rest in Jesus 💙🌹💙🙏🏾🙏🏾
Willie you’ll be truly missed. I’m going to miss my birthday wishes and calls. My heart felt sympathy goes out to the family!🙏🏿🙏🏿
Willie touched so many lives in a grand way. He will be missed dearly. Sending love, thoughts, and prayers to the family during this difficult time. Hold strong to the memories of Willie and let them live on.
Love you all, Noreen, Janae and Breana
Cousin you will truly be missed by me and the entire family. Rest in Peace
Willie will be missed by me and of our entire family. May he Rest in Peace. I enjoyed his quietness and patient with me as his dear cousin.
Good bye my friend. Been a while. rest on. you always wished me happy birthday and ‘have great days’. To the family you have my deepest and sincere condolences.
Willie I Loved you beyond measure.
Until we meet again my friend.
I miss you so much already. It was an honor to be your close friend.
My sincere condolences to the family.
Willie was truly a beloved college classmate and friend. He was always willing to help where he could and was a pleasure to be around. He was especially good about remembering birthdays–mine and so many others, calling every single year to say “happy birthday. ” He was thoughtful that way. The world seems a little emptier since he passed away, but I’m sure heaven is fuller. Rest in peace, Willie.
Rest well with the Lord Jesus Christ, good brother. To Omega chapter, a place of eternal rest. My condolences to the family and God’s strength and healing be with you.
What a wonderful life Bro. Willie lived. It was enlightening and uplifting to read about his community service and how he helped others selflessly. What a tribute to humanity. May God continue to lead and guide his family even as Willie has transitioned to be with God.
RIP Willie.. You made me feel at home after I graduated from college back in 1999 and return home to Columbia. OIL (1999-01) was my first graduate chapter you help make it a lasting experience. You will be missed brother.
Our hearts goes out to the family during this difficult time. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Your cousins Gloria, Isabella, Elease, Luether, Irma Gean
My sincere and deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Willie. He was such a kind and warm soul, and a true gem in our community. I’m so glad and feel blessed to have known him since a young girl. May he Rest In Peace, free of any suffering and pain. Fly high, Mr. Willie.
Tiandra Best
Willie was a wonderful person who helped me and my children in so many ways. It is painful to know that he’s no longer here but I know without a doubt that his soul is resting. Much prayers to his family, his frat brothers, friends and Greta who’s been with Willie every step of the way.
My heartfelt condolences to you and family. Please be encouraged knowing your dear Willie is at home with the Father.
God Bless!
Dear Edward,
Sending heartfelt sympathy and prayers to you and your family. I will miss my dear friend. He was so kind, humble and yet processed a sternest that only he could.
May he rest in paradise. 🕊
Dorothy Scott
Dear Edward & Family,
Your extended Payton Family Members extend their sincerest condolences on the loss of our beloved Willie. While our hearts are heavy with grief, we feel so blessed to have known and loved Willie. He was the kind of family member that many of us tried so hard to emulate. He will be sorely missed, but we find comfort in knowing that he is now at peace. May God continue to bless you and the rest of the family.
Mary, Annette, Cecil, William, Bernard & Gail
My sincere condolences to the Odom family. I know Willie will be missed by all. I hope the memory of his goodness, love and a life well lived will be a comfort to all who loved him.
Words are so inadequate at times like these! To the Family and Friends of Brother Odom, our most sincere condolences; we grieve with you, but we know that Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal…To our Beloved Brother, You will truly be missed – He who shall be first will be last…and shall Serve…You were an Exemplary Man, May we follow your lead…Much Love, and we’ll see you later…May Angels guide you to your rest…
I glad to have the privilege to take care of Mr Willie.May he rest in peace.Viola Blue of Prisma Health
Willie will definitely be missed. He was always with the Eaves family reunions and to me it felt like a brother. My condolences does go out to the family and keeping you in our prayers.🙏🏽🙏🏽❤️
The Eaves family will truly miss Willie. Our family loved him like a brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Odom family and Willie’s friends. Rest In Peace Willie. We love you❤
Willie was like a member of our family. I will miss you dear friend. May God bless the Odom family during this very sad time.
It was an honor to call you Cousin. May God continue to keep and bless the Odom Family.
Submitted by: Missionary Sylvia Williamson
We would like to extend our most sincere condolences to the Odom family. You are in our prayers and our thoughts.
The “Colonel” was a true friend and brother who fulfilled his mission on earth by performing manly deeds, practicing scholarship, and most importantly showing love for all mankind. His influence on my life and the lives of so many others are beyond earthly measure; for that we are eternally grateful. Until the very end he remained faithful and encouraged, looking towards the future, a true testament as to how a life is to be lived.
Therefore we thank and honor God for having allowed us the blessing to have know The Colonel, Brother Willie Lee Odom. We will always honor his life, we will always remember his living and we will always uphold his legacy.
Rest In Peace Colonel in The Arms of The Savior,
Ted & Melanie Murdaugh
Rest in peace “Colonel-O”. Thanks for ALL you did to brighten our lives and now you get to share your wisdom with God’s angels in heaven. Omega Chapter has received another “Champion”. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Odom family.
Respectfully & Fraternally
Your “heart broken ” brother
A-PHI we love you brother.
Rest in peace.
Rest in peace our big brother, fraternity brother and loyal friend. We will miss you greatly and know you are one of God’s angels for all the good you did for everyone and all of your humanitarian efforts. Our hearts and condolences go out to the Odom family. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers. With heartfelt love and sympathy, Wendell and Christine Jumper and Geraldine Sims.
Sending prayers and condolences to the Odom family. Willie was a humble, kind, loyal person. He will truly be missed.
My sincere condolences to all the family.
Willie will be truly missed, especially, as part of our Guinyard-Butler High School Reunion Committee.
Prayers for continuous blessings!
My deepest sympathies to the Odom family. Rest In Peace, dear friend. Wishing you comfort and peace. My heart is deeply saddened by your loss.
Our sincere condolences to the Odom family. Willie was a very nice, thoughtful and caring person. He will truly be missed. Rest well our friend!!!
Oh, my dear Friend Willie Poo.., my heart is heavily burdened..My friend since college, my company, my spokesperson, my counselor, listener, etc… my dear friend…..
My sincere condolences and sympathy to the family. May your faith sustain you during this trying time.
Sending heartfelt sympathy and prayers to the Odom family. He was such a wonderful spirit and dedicated friend to so many. We will always keep you in our hearts. II Timothy 4:6-7 NKJV
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Rest well my friend,
The Jamison Family
Sincere condolences to the family. Willie was a true friend indeed and will be truly missed. Rest in Peace my friend.
Greta A. Green and Family