Reverend Willie Bernard Thomas

Willie Bernard Thomas was born to Willie Bernard Thompson and Bessie Lee Riley on April 18, 1957, in Clarksdale, Mississippi. A mistake in the spelling of his last name was never caught, so even though he was named after his earthly father, he never actually carried his last name.

The family, like many others at that time, moved north to Chicago, Il due to racial threats and violence.  By the time Willie was a teenager, his family moved to Elgin, Il, where he lived until moving out on his own at age 17.  Willie grew to be a self-made entrepreneur, working jobs in Illinois and California, gaining years of experience in the men’s clothing industry and financial businesses, as the desire to own his own business began to grow. He was married by the age of 20 to Vernita Butler of Newport, RI and they raised three beautiful children in the Diamond Bar area of California. Sadly, this marriage ended in 1990, but during this time of loss, Willie’s life dramatically changed. He found the Lord and accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

Shortly after this divorce, Willie left California and headed to Newport, RI “with $300 in his pocket” as he often said, in pursuit of his children who he loved so deeply.  After many struggles and many jobs, Willie eventually secured a job as a Mortgage Loan Officer for Bankers Mortgage. He joined a church in Newport and started growing in his walk with the Lord. By the late 1990’s he had become a member of Cathedral of Life Christian Assembly (currently, King’s Cathedral) in Providence, RI. It was there that he met his future bride, Melodie Clark Thompson. It was around this time that his 20-year dream of owning his own business became a reality. Solomon Banc Corp Mortgage Company opened in Providence, RI in 2001 and Willie became the first African American man to own a Mortgage Company in Providence. He later opened a second branch in New Haven, CT.

Willie and Melodie got married in Cranston, RI on October 12, 2002, officiated by the late Pastor Charles Jones (Pastor Chuck). After short periods at various churches, Willie joined Melodie at Bread of Life International Worship Center, under the leadership of Pastors Rudy and Latoya Moseley.  Willie had the business, he had the wife, he had the support of a wonderful church family……. but there was more the Lord required of him. The call to preach and teach the Gospel kept “calling” him, but it took him another 10 years to answer.

In October of 2012, Willie was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer in his spinal column.  During the next 10 years that he continued to live, miraculously with no chemotherapy treatments, Willie answered that call! He continued to make a living selling Life Insurance Policies, but he also completed a two-year course of biblical studies in 2019 through the International School of Ministry, provided through Bread of Life International Worship Center. Pastor Willie then went on to earn a bachelor's in ministry degree from Covenant Theological Seminary in April of 2021.  His greatest honor was when he received ordination from Bread of Life International Worship Center on May 22, 2022.

During his 10 years of chronic pain, hospitalizations and countless surgeries, Pastor Willie diligently  brought Bible Study Classes, first, to the residents of  Saint Elizabeth’s Assisted Living Apartments, then later, to St Martin Du Porres Senior Center; he preached regularly at Holy Temple Church of God in Christ, under Bishop Daniel Brown; he launched a podcast of mini-sermons with the help of Rowland Hinds; and he was honored to bring the Word on occasion at his home church, Bread of Life Int’l Worship Center.  Rev Willie Thomas preached and taught and admonished and encouraged anyone, any place at any time, often identifying himself as “Just Willie.” He was the true and consistent example of a Suffering Servant. Yet his joy and hope in the Lord was ever-present.

Willie Thomas is preceded in death by his father and mother as well as 5 siblings: Katie Harrington, Eddie Bartee Jr, Margaret Bartee, Linda Bartee and Darren Thompson.   

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Melodie Thompson-Thomas; his adult children, William Stephan Thomas, Alexander Robert Thomas and Majori Renee Thomas; his adult bonus children, Rhema Joy Bland, Micah Josiah Thompson and Shemaiah Zoe Thompson; his grandchildren Jaleel Thomas, Kaden Thomas, Maiya Thomas, Micah Isaiah Thompson, Zivah Bland, and Sariyu Thompson; his four remaining siblings, Bruce Thompson,  Sharon Thompson, Sherita  Bartee Johnson, Mark Bartee;  a host of nieces and nephews, many precious spiritual daughters and sons, and our loving BOL Church family.  

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