Willie Gripper, Jr. was born April 30, 1943 to the late Willie Sr. and Rosa Lee Gripper in High Point, NC. He was the youngest of three children born to this union. He departed this life to an eternal life in Christ Jesus on October 2, 2025.

Willie devoted his life to his family. A loving husband, son, brother, father and Papa, Willie consistently stood tall in the gap for his loved ones. Willie demonstrated what it means to be family. His easy smile, quick wit and strong character left a lasting impression on everyone he encountered.

On February 11, 1960, ten days after four students from North Carolina A&T State University sat at the lunch counter of a Woolworth’s in Greensboro, high school students from William Penn High School in High Point did the same. Willie, at 15 years of age, was one of twenty-six high school students to stage a sit-in at the segregated High Point Woolworths counter. This was the first sit-in in the US led by high school students. These students organized themselves to stage a non-violent protest, which sparked a decade of civil rights activism in High Point, ultimately contributing to the desegregation of local businesses and public facilities. Willie’s involvement was critical in coordinating and leading the student-led efforts. His determination and strong will enabled him to endure the vitriol of an angry mob, demonstrating significant perseverance to withstand harassment and threats to achieve the goal of social justice.

Willie attended North Carolina Central and continued his involvement in the civil rights movement. He worked at L. Richardson Hospital under the tutelage of his mother, who was the first black female Executive Director of housekeeping. Willie managed the evening custodial crew, where his mentorship of young black men began. This carried over to his role as lab technician at the City of High Point Wastewater Plant, Pfizer Chemical Company and Ecoflo, where he retired after twenty-one years. Willie commanded respect, and many were drawn to his light and wisdom as he demonstrated God's work with humility and modesty.

Willie met and married the love of his life, Frances Yvonne Hughes. Their sixty-two years of marriage produced a family legacy of three daughters: Charita, Monica (James Holloway), Carrey (Jimesh Thaker); and six grandchildren Mynah (Kyle Woumn), Aubrey, Bryce Holloway, and Sonia, Sohan, and Leela Thaker.

He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Vera Hart and Barbara Dickens, but leaves a host of cousins and extended family, as anyone named “Gripper” is definitely a relative!

Funeral service will be held Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Service Chapel. Interment will follow at Carolina Biblical Gardens. The family will receive friends at the chapel from 11:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Phillips Funeral Service, Inc.