Willie McKenzie

Mr. Willie Thomas “Tommy” “Red Willie” McKenzie, Jr., 61, of Travelers Rest, South Carolina, departed this life to go to his Heavenly home on Saturday, April 28, 2018, at his home.

“Tommy” was a graduate of Travelers Rest High School Class of 1975, and formerly worked at Sage Automotive formerly Gayley/Milliken for forty years. He was baptized at an early age and remained a member of the Golden Grove Baptist Church, where he was a former trustee.

A lover of music, he helped organize the Gospel True Notes of Travelers Rest. and was lead guitar and bass player for them and the former Gospel Soul Stirrers .

“Red Willie” was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Henry and Cordelia McKenzie; and maternal grandparents, Jackson and Georgia Dickey.

Left to cherish many fond and loving memories, in addition to his parents are his wife, Beverly Lorraine McBee McKenzie of the home; his parents, Willie Thomas McKenzie, Sr., and Clarice Dickey McKenzie of Travelers Rest; one daughter, Shanta McBee of Travelers Rest; two sons, Justin McKenzie and Joshua McKenzie, both of Travelers Rest; three sisters, Lavunda (Felix) Martin, Terrilyn McKenzie (William) Cameron and Melissa (John) Adams, all of Travelers Rest; two brothers, Kenneth (Jamelle) McKenzie of Greer and Devon (Valerie) Adams of Greenville; a special brother, Douglas (Gwen) Miller of Travelers Rest; five grandchildren, Braylon, Jackson, Keniah, Jace and Elijah; an aunt, Ollie Rose Miller of Travelers Rest; uncles, Luther (Lucille) Dickey and Gary Dickey, both of Greenville and H.C. McKenzie of Travelers Rest; his girl, Jasmin Williams; Florida family, Lex, Libby, Nia and Gavin; and a host of other relatives and friends.