Willie James Harper 73, passed on 1/5/2022 at Javon Bea Hospital in Rockford, IL. He was born February 3, 1948 in Harrisville, Ms. to Nathaniel Harper Sr and Maggie Lean Pendleton Harper. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age. He graduated from New Hymn High School, Pinola, Ms. He relocated to Rockford, IL in 1967. In that year he began his career at Greenlee Textron as a machinist. He worked for Greenlee for 43 years before retiring. He was a former member of New Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church.  He is survived by his son Aries Harper, Sr, and his grandson Aries Harper Jr. He is also survived by four sisters Earnestine Hinyard of Harper Woods Mi, Erma  Walker, Paulette Wright, Jeanette Hanserd of Rockford, IL. One brother Nathaniel Harper Jr of Rockford , IL. and two aunts and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Kenneth Ray Harper, niece Angel Guerin, nephew T'Kai K. Harper.

The family will privately celebrate the life of Willie James. Arrangements are entrusted to Carl E. Ponds Funeral Home, Rockford, IL