Dr. Willenham Castilla

Obituary For Dr. Willenham Castilla

Funeral services will be Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 11:00 a.m., Christ Temple Church of Christ Holiness USA, 845 N. Lamar Street, Jackson, MS 39202 with burial in Autumn Woods Cemetery, 4000 W. Northside Drive, Jackson, MS 39209.

Viewing and family hour will be Friday, July 9, 2021 at 6:00 p.m., Westhaven Funeral Home Chapel, 3580 Robinson Street, Jackson, MS 39209. The Life and Legacy of Wisdom, Work, and Witness of Dr. Willenham Castilla

Have I given anything today? Have I helped some needy soul, along the way? Just to know I did my best, as I go to take my rest. Let my name be with the blessed today.

On July 3, 2021, this was the song of the heart of Deacon, Dr. Willenham Castilla as he was called before the throne of God to take his rest. We believe he left this world having answered YES to the questions posed as evidenced in the wisdom, work, and witness of his life.

Willenham Castilla, a native of Madison County, MS, was the eldest of four siblings born to Abraham and Magolia Castilla on December 17,1925. His three siblings preceded him in death: Julia Hicks, Jessie Williams and Nelson Castilla. Willenham Castilla was a product of parents who were committed to God, family and education. Consequently, his life exhibited the works of one whose foundation was built on family, heritage, faith, social justice and education. He set an example for his siblings, was disciplined and identified early as a natural born leader. Dr. Castilla was promoted through the Wells Public Schools in Madison County, MS and was a high school graduate of Christ Missionary and Industrial College in Jackson, MS. He was summoned to serve in the armed service, enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in World War II. Remembering the value of education, upon his return from the war, he continued his studies and graduated in Radio Fundamentals and Business Management from Campbell College in Jackson, MS. Later, he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Jackson State University in Business Administration and Accounting, and at age 75, he earned his Master of Theology degree.

It was at Campbell College that Willenham met a lovely young lady from Rankin County, Theresa Pearl Wright. On April 17,1949 he married this beautiful young lady whom he called his “Sunshine.” Willenham and Theresa began a journey together that saw the Lord bless them in ways beyond their imagination. To this union was born nine children: Cortez, Philander, Patricia, Mary, Alveno, Magolia, Hilliard, Reginald and Quemardo. Willenham and Theresa lived and declared in their home, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). The couple had the audacity to believe that the principles of respect, serving God, education, working hard, loving family and integrity were fundamental in preparing their children to be faithful servants, excellent students, and influential leaders in the church and community. As he worked hard to provide for his family, oversee the directions of his nine children and serve in the church, there was little leisure time. However, he did love to travel to attend graduations, concerts and special school events to support his children.

Dr. Castilla was baptized at an early age and became a member of New Lake Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. He first learned the work of the church at New Lake by serving in numerous capacities that reflected the multifaceted nature of his gifts and passion for Kingdom work. These gifts included teaching, singing, leadership, administration and encouraging others. It brought him great joy to serve the Lord and his people. He did not hesitate to give himself fully to the work of the church through various leadership positions in the local, district, diocese, and national levels of the Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. (COCHUSA). He served at New Lake as the Sunday School Superintendent, H.Y.P.U. President, president and secretary of the Trustee Board, Chairman of the Deacon Board and Choir Member. He loved New Lake so much and was distraught when he could no longer attend due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He often sang on programs at churches throughout the Jackson area. One of his greatest joys and highly anticipated events was attending the COCHUSA National Convention and enjoying the fellowship, engaging in business meetings, advocating for as well as fundraising for CM&I, and singing in the choir. He knew the ins and outs of the parliamentary procedures, manual mandates, historical precedents, and he would come back home with a new zeal to work for the Lord. He found at the convention family, friends and others from across the country that were also serious about the “work”.

He had an exemplary witness as a soldier of Christ beyond the church as well. Dr. Castilla was known in the gates as a faithful servant of God, family man, community developer, advocate, neighborhood notary, instructor of the Christian Education Training and Resource Center, business course teacher, insurance and restaurant supply salesman. He moved forward to breaking down barriers of social injustice and discrimination. He had a vision for the future and a mission.

In 1966, Willenham Castilla heard the clarion call of his generation, putting his life on the front line to serve as a registrar under the Voting Rights Act for the U.S. Civil Service Commission. He worked in Birmingham and other locations in Alabama. Later, he was reassigned to Mississippi where he conducted voter registration in Jackson, Canton, the Mississippi Delta and Vicksburg. He also worked for many years as a comanager of the voting precinct in Madison, MS.

In 1946, he took the civil service exam for postal carriers and eventually secured a job with the U.S. Postal Service. His postal career started with him as a substitute city carrier. By God’s handiwork and despite efforts to keep him out, in 1967 he became the first Black Post Office employee to work as a supervisor in the Jackson, MS Post Office taking a position in the accounting department. He completed training in management, retail services and accounting procedures for the US postal service at Memphis State University and the Bethesda Training School in Maryland. In 1972, he became Assistant Manager of the Westland Plaza Post Office. Around 1975, because of God’s hand he was promoted to Branch Manager in Pearl, MS. This too was a first. Then, in 1979, he continued to advance and became Postmaster of Canton, MS. He was the first Black in Mississippi to head up operations at a post office of that size. He retired from postal service in October 1981 after 32 ½ years of government service. He was an active member of the National Association of Postal Federal Employees where he continued to observe the needs and advocate for the rights of employees.

He had a heart for improving not only his life but also the lives of others. In addition to his professional commitment to the community, Dr. Castilla was the founder and president emeritus of the Livingston Road Community Water Association. This association was established to provide clean running water to his home community for the first time. The successful organized efforts were pivotal in the eventual establishment of the water system for the entire north Livingston Road community of Ridgeland.

His life reflects God’s faithfulness, and this was acknowledged by the many awards and recognitions he received. Plaques hang on his walls as a testament to his children and grandchildren of the work that he has done and how to follow. A few of his honors include Man of the Year by the COCHUSA in August 1975, an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree conveyed by the Board of Education Department of Religious Education of the COCHUSA in 1995, and Chairperson of the COCHUSA Centennial Committee for the 100-year celebration in 1996. Dr. Castilla served as Executive Secretary of the National Education Trustee Board for 40 plus years. At New Lake Church he proudly and dutifully served as Chairman of the Deacon Board for 38 years and was Chairman of the “Call to Harvest Program” for 40 years. He also served as Dean of the Department of Religious Education and led that department into and through the process of obtaining accreditation by a national accrediting commission. In May 2002, Tougaloo College honored him with a Meritorious Leadership Award. This indeed was a salute to the purpose and mission of his life that would not let him be silent and still.

He loved reading and writing. Daily he read the scripture and even at 95 years read best sellers. Dr. Castilla was an avid writer. To his credit the following were written by him: Moving Forward on God’s Highway: A Textbook History of the Church of Christ (Holiness) USA, New Lake Church Historical Sketch, The Work and Ministry of the Deacon Training Manual, The Work and Ministry of the Church Trustee Training Manual and several plays. He also wrote a manuscript of his family history, “Our Family Tree and Me” that awaits publication.

This is just a mere highlight of the legacy of the wisdom, work, and witness of Dr. Willenham Castilla. So many will remember his confident posture, unique voice, his many briefcases (one for each entity), passion at the microphone at the National Convention business meetings, mentoring deacons, and so much more. Many will remember him as the faithful one.

Therefore, to answer the previous questions, Yes, he has given. Yes, he has helped some needy souls along the way. Yes, he did his best. However, his final words to us might be his favorite verse: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

In 2002, Theresa Pearl, the love of his life, partner of 53 years, and “Sunshine” passed away. Also, his heart was heavy as two sons preceded him in death, Willenham Cortez and Philander Edgar Lee who even made marks of distinction in their lives.

Dr. Willenham Castilla leaves to cherish his wisdom, his work, and his witness, his children: Patricia Pearl Ellis, Mary Delesslyn Kennebrew (Bishop Vernon), Alveno Nelson Castilla, Esq., Dr. Magolia Abranese Castilla, Hilliard Vonzell Castilla, Esq. (Tiffany), Reginald Janerio Castilla (Christine) and Quemardo Manuelito Castilla (Danyel); his 25 grandchildren: Cueshaun, Isaiah, Kathlyn, Matthew, (Tahari), Schlese, Edgar, Samuel (Sheniece), Octave (Mishell), La’Trese, Delesslyn, Daniel (Mishun), Dorcas, David (Earneisha), Darius, Rashad, Kivatah, Amira, Kendall, Lydia, Matthias, Alisa, Kristin, Aviya, Spencer, and Seth; his six great grandchildren, Omari, Samantha, Joshua, Ozias, Ezra, Giovanna and Aryannah. He leaves a loving New Lake Church family and a host of loving nieces, nephews, other relatives, coworkers and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: W. Cortez Castilla Music Scholarship Fund c/o JSU Development Foundation, P.O. Box 17144, Jackson, MS 39217.