Reverend Willie James McKenzie, Jr.

Reverend W. James McKenzie was born on January 26, 1963, in Newark, New Jersey, to Dorothy (Coles) McKenzie and Willie James McKenzie Sr. He was preceded in death by his father and his brother, George Coles.

On April 9, 2011, he married Antoinette McKenzie and remained a loving and devoted husband.

Reverend McKenzie graduated from Paxon High School in 1981 and, that following December, answered the call to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Navy. During his Navy career, he served aboard the USS Saratoga, a Forrestal-class aircraft carrier named for the Revolutionary War victory at Saratoga and remembered as an important part of America’s Cold War naval presence. His military career ended in 1987. During his service, he received the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Navy Unit Commendation, and the First Good Conduct Medal.

After leaving the Navy, Reverend McKenzie established a very successful career as a Network Engineer. He was known for his dedication, intelligence, and commitment to excellence in his professional work.

Above all, Reverend McKenzie’s passion was teaching and preaching the Word of God. He earned a Bachelor of Religious Arts in Biblical Studies from Jacksonville Theological Seminary in May 1996. On September 29, 1996, he was ordained at Ephesians Missionary Baptist Church, beginning a devoted journey of ministry and service.

On October 18, 1998, Reverend McKenzie joined Julington Baptist Church, where he continued to grow in leadership, faith, and service. Through his ministry, he touched the lives of many with his teaching, preaching, wisdom, and love for the Lord. 

Since 2006, Reverend McKenzie faithfully served in the Bible College Ministry at Julington Baptist Church. His love for teaching God’s Word was evident in the many courses he taught.

He also used his technological expertise to strengthen the ministry by introducing technology and tools aimed at helping advance online Bible instruction and ministry outreach.

Reverend McKenzie’s dedication leaves a lasting legacy of love, faith, service, and spiritual leadership.

Reverend McKenzie will be remembered as a faithful servant of God, a proud Navy veteran, a gifted professional, and a man whose life reflected devotion, purpose, and love. He also had a great sense of humor and brought joy and fun to those around him.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Antoinette McKenzie; his mother, Dorothy Hasan (Yahya); his children, Willie McKenzie, Wilshard McKenzie, Tyler McKenzie, Lauren Williams, and Jeffrey Davis-Cole; his grandchildren, Khalani McKenzie, Sheridyn McGill, Jeffrey Davis-Cole, Brooklyn Jones, and Prince Jones; and his siblings, Lena Lester (Noble), Pamela White, Linda Stewart (Willie), and Melissa Harris (Joe). He shared a special bond with his nieces and nephews: Rodriguez White, Theodore Thomas, Kenneth Brown Jr., Ocie Brown, Aundra Brown Jr., Aaron Payne, Ivan Ray, Jadon Harris, Lynnette White (Claytonia), Mia Harris, and Heaven Harris. He is also lovingly remembered by a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, extended family, and friends.

Sarah L. Carter's Funeral Home Southside is serving the Family.

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