Willie Chavers Jr.

Willie Chavers was born on January 17, 1936 in Yalaha, Florida from the marriage of Willie Chavers, Sr. and Minnie Lee Uddybach.

Willie moved to Albany, NY at age 12. As a teenager, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord & Savior and united with the Macedonia Baptist Church of Albany, NY under Rev. Dr. George L. Burns, Pastor.
He was an active youth member of the Sunday School & BTU, in the Youth Choir, one of the original Youth Ushers, and a member of the gospel quartet the Macedonians. He sang with the Macedonians at area churches, nursing homes, on the radio, and at the Tuberculosis Sanitarium of Albany, NY. He also served Macedonia as a Trustee in later years.

Educated in the Albany Public School System, Willie excelled in sports. At Albany High School he lettered in Varsity Track. After high school Willie joined the US Navy during the Korean War earning the Navy Occupation Service Medal (European Clasp) and received an honorable discharge for his military service.

Willie returned to Albany where he married Navralean Threatt. They were blessed to have two children Michele and Michael. Willie studied at Siena College and worked as a commercial tractor trailer driver and later as an accounting clerk. During his career he was transferred to Connecticut, New Jersey, and eventually to Atlanta, Georgia.

While living in Atlanta, Willie united with Friendship Baptist Church of College Park and was ordained as a deacon. In addition to serving in the Diaconate Ministry, he chaired the Transportation Ministry where he coordinated schedules for 6 drivers and maintained a fleet of church vehicles.
After returning to Albany, in 2010, Deacon Chavers united with Universal Baptist Church of Saratoga Springs, NY under Rev. Dr. Minnie L. Burns, Pastor. He served as chair of the Diaconate Ministry until his death.

Deacon Chavers loved sports. Enjoying all aspects - participating, managing, coaching, and watching sporting events. His favorite sports were golf, tennis, softball, bowling, and football.
Left to cherish his memory are Rev. Michele Chavers, daughter; Betty Burns (Rorie), sister; Navralean Chavers, ex-wife; Sandra Smith and family, special friends; along with a host of loving relatives, church family, and friends.

Predeceased by Michael Patrick Chavers, his son; Willie Chavers, Sr., father; Rev. Dr. Minnie L. Uddybach-Burns, mother; and Rev. Dr. George L. Burns, stepfather; Mae Etta Williams, his grandmother.

On behalf of the Family of Willie Chavers, Jr. we would like to thank you for your prayers, phone calls, and generous support during this difficult time.