Mr. Willie Vinson, Jr.

Mr. Willie Vinson, Jr., 65, passed away on June 10, 2025. Affectionately known as "Lil Bill", Willie was born April 5, 1960 in Gainesville, FL to Willie Vinson, Sr. and Minnie Moore. He was a 1978 graduate of Gainesville High School where he participated in football, basketball, and other sports. After high school he worked with his father learning plastering and other construction work. Working with his father transformed him into the man he would become - hardworking and curious about the world around him. Willie loved the outdoors and spent many years working as a Groundskeeper at Nationwide Insurance Company, where he met and married Joyce Vinson - giving birth to his only child, Willie L. Vinson. He finished his career as as Kitchen Manager and Cook for the North Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center. In his free time, Willie enjoyed spending time with his friends and family, going to the Gainesville Race Track, barbecuing, and watching Western movies. He was a gentle kind man, who never missed an opportunity to spend time with his three grandchildren, who clung to the Papa every chance they got. He never met a stranger - becoming fast friends with everyone he met. Willie was called home to rest in the arms of Jesus on June 10, 2025, at his home in the 400 Building, near downtown Gainesville, FL. He will remain in the memory and hearts of his son; Willie Lenard "Tweet" Vinson and daughter-in-law, Katie Vinson; grandchildren, Tyrees Vinson, Elias Vinson and Aleyah Vinson; brothers, Earl Moore, Sr., and Nate Vinson; sisters, Kathy Hooker, Shirley Vinson Johnson, Wilhemina Vinson, and Sabrina Vinson; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends. Public Visitation will be Friday, June 27, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM in The Blue Chapel at Chestnut Funeral Home, Inc., 18 NW 8th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601. Graveside Services for Mr. Vinson will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Starke-Nelson Cemetery, 20706 NE 22nd Lane, Hawthorne, FL (Campville). The family will lineup to form the Cortege to drive to the Cemetery at 9:00 AM, Saturday June 28, 2025 at Chestnut Funeral Home, 18 NW 8th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601. Resolutions may be emailed to: wecare@chestnutfh.com before 5:00 PM on June 27, 2025. Floral Arrangements may be ordered online at www.chestnutfh.com/obituaries. Cards, donations, and other condolences may be mailed or delivered to Chestnut Funeral Home, 18 NW 8th Avenue, Gainesville, FL. "A CHESTNUT SERVICE"

Tributes

Mr. Willie Vinson, Jr.

April 5, 1960 - June 10, 2025