Willie Boyd Chisholm entered this life on February 24, 1937 in Savannah, Georgia. He was the only child born to the late William Boyd Chisholm and the late Alzata Chisholm -Tharpe. At the age of five, his father was killed while working as a chef on a merchant ship during World War II.  After the death of his father, Willie and his mother resided with his maternal grandmother and she helped raise young Willie.  At the age of five, he and Lonnie Alston became lifelong friends.

He became a member of St. Matthews Episcopal Church in Savannah at an early age where he was an active member of the church and the community until relocating to Atlanta, GA.

He was educated in the Chatman County Schools in Savannah Ga. He was a 1954 graduate of A. E. Beach High School of Savannah, Georgia. While in high school, he was a part of the T. J. Hopkins Electrical Company training program as a trainee and Apprentice where he learned the entire electrical trade. 

He attended Savannah State University and during his time in college, he was the founder of the 1st African American Chamber of Commerce in the Collier Building on West Broad Street in Savannah, Ga.

Willie was one of the many foot soldiers during the Civil Rights Movement. He served as a photographer where he took picture of activities and made sure they were in the local newspapers

Willie met and married Emily Singleton Chisholm of Savannah, Georgia. From this union, a son Kevin Dwayne (who proceeded him in death) and daughter Erika Joyce was born. The family moved to Atlanta when the children were very young, but the marriage was dissolved. Once in Atlanta, he joined St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and participated with the Brotherhood.

While working Selma, Alabama in the late-1970’s as Union Representative for the Garment Factory, Willie met and later married Johnnie Nettles of Selma, Alabama and to this union his youngest daughter, Johnnise LaBoyd was born. They resided in the Boulder Park /Adamsville Community for the last 25 years, where they raised their daughter.

In 1993, Willie began working for the historical Paschal Brothers Restaurants and Hotel on Martin L. King Jr. Drive, in Atlanta as the onsite maintenance repairmen.  In 1997, the restaurant and hotel was sold to Clark Atlanta University. He was employed by University from 1997-2012 in the Facilities and Maintenance department.

He was an electrician by trade and salesman/entrepreneur by profession. He was the owner and CEO of Chisholm and Associates, A Complete Home Electrical Supply Center and The Furniture Man. He was a member of the Atlanta Chapter of NAACP and an active member of the Democratic party. He worked on various political campaign from local mayoral and councilman races to presidential campaigns from election Jimmy Carter to Barack Obama. His belief was “If you don’t vote you don’t count.”

He enjoyed cooking, fishing, having political decisions, photography, gardening (indoor and outdoor) and listening to various type of music. He was a member of the A. E. Beach High Alumni Association. He was the recipients of numerous awards and recognition including Who’s Who Among A.E Beach High School Alumni in America.

Willie B. Chisholm affectionally known as “Chisholm” or “Chiz” departed this life on the morning of Friday, December 30, 2016 at Grady Memorial Hospital, in Atlanta, Ga.

The Celebration of Life for Mr. Chisholm will be held on Monday, January 9, 2017 at 12 Noon  at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 306 Peyton Rd., S.W.  The remains will be placed in state at the church at 11 a.m.

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