Willie "Sonny" G. McLendon

Willie G. McLendon, affectionately known as “Sonny” was born on November 17, 1953, in Washington Wilkes County, Georgia to the late Willie S. and Diane McLendon. He graduated from William E. Raines High School in Jacksonville, Florida class of 1971.

Sonny worked for UPS in Jacksonville and after relocating to Atlanta, Georgia he worked for Ivan Allen Office Supplies Co. He attended Bell and Howell Technical school and Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia. As a young man Sonny attended the Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church in Jacksonville with his parents. Sonny was very big on keeping his dad’s car washed and very particular about yard work at their home.

Sonny moved back to Jacksonville to help his mother take care of his then ill father. After the passing of his father, Sonny became the care giver of his mom for over ten years." Scripture says, "Honor thy mother and thy father all the days of thy life". And Sonny was a good example of following that commandment.

On Saturday, January 10, 2026, Sonny was killed by a hit and run vehicle only a few streets from his home. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie S. McLendon and Diane Richardson McLendon; sister, Delores McLendon; grandparents Wylie Richardson and Reba Hill Richardson; and three brothers, Willie H. Richardson, Tom Wylie Richardson, and Luther Gene Richardson.

He leaves to cherish his memory, a special uncle, Rogers L. Richardson (Edwanita) of Atlanta, Georgia; sister-in-law, Annie R. Richardson of Columbia, South Carolina; great aunt, Anita Downer of Washington Georgia; and a host of cousins and friends.

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

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