Obituary for WILLIE LEON CREDLE
The Reverend Dr. Willie Leon Credle was born on July 10, 1939 in Manteo, North Carolina to the late Willie David Credle and Maggie Meekins. He went home to be with the Lord on June 11, 2020, following an extended illness. Dr. Credle was affectionately known as Leon by family, friends and all who knew him. Leon was educated in the Dare County and New York City School systems, attending Maxwell High School in Brooklyn, New York.
In 1957, he joined the United States Air Force. Over the years, Leon traveled extensively in his military years and gained friendships all over the world. He resided many years in Boston, Massachusetts, Brooklyn, New York, and Chesapeake, Virginia. In 1957, he was united in marriage to Gloria Ross in Boston, Massachusetts.
Dr. Credle was called to the ministry in the early 1970’s. In 1972, he was united in marriage to Leslie Bowe. In 1975, he served under the leadership of Reverend Matthew Cradle, Pastor of Mt. Hermon Church of Christ Disciples of Christ in Norfolk, Virginia. He became a Minister of the Gospel and an ordained preacher in 1980. Upon leaving Mt. Hermon, the Lord sent Leon to Garret Community Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia under the leadership of Bishop Johnny Reed, where he was also ordained. In 1985, he was united in marriage to Ann Credle. He was called to Pastor, Bethlehem Church of Christ Disciples of Christ for 4-5 years. Upon leaving Bethlehem, he went to First Baptist Campostella, in Norfolk, Virginia under the leadership of Dr. Harold Cason and remained close to Dr. Cason throughout the years, until his death in 2007. Dr. Credle was called to Pastor New Sawyers Creek Baptist Church in Camden, NC from 1993-2006. Under his leadership, he raised up Sons and Daughters in the ministry. From 2001-2008, he was on the air with Life Giving Radio Ministry on WGAI. Dr. Credle also served on the Executive Board of the Roanoke Missionary Baptist Association. In 2008 Dr. Credle moved back home to Manteo, North Carolina for a short time, and then to Canal Winchester, Ohio. He united with Smyrna Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio under the leadership of Bishop Fred L. Marshall. He remained in Ohio for nine years, until his death. Dr. Credle received his Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, Master of Divinity and ultimately a Doctor of Divinity in 1997 from Rhema Seminary and College.
Dr. Credle was preceded in death by his grandparents, who helped raise him: David Credle and Elizabeth Morris; his parents: Willie David Credle and Maggie Lee Meekins, two siblings, William Credle and Barbara C. Young, two children: Calvin and Linda Credle, one grandson, Tyron Credle. He leaves to cherish his memory: two sisters: Lelia C. Baker of Rocky Mount, NC and Janice Johnson of Rahway, NJ, six children: Robert L. Credle, Columbus, OH, Jeannette Credle Veal (James) Canal Winchester, OH, Anthony Carver (Tonya) Virginia Beach, VA, Dr. Rita R. Credle-Gibson (Benjamin), Clayton, NC, David Credle, Norfolk, VA; and Leah Alonzo, Dallas, GA, 15 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, 9 nephews and nieces and a host of relatives and friends. He is also survived by two uncles and one aunt, Uncle Theodore R. Meekins, Harbinger, NC, Aunt Wilma and Uncle Linwood Keys, of Washington, D.C. Dr. Credle will be remembered for his love of family gatherings, sense of humor, his bubbly personality and his favorite song, he often sang, “One Day at a Time”. He will also be remembered for the anointing that rested upon his life and the God-given ability to preach the oracles of God with power and authority, under the unction of the Holy Ghost.
In 1957, he joined the United States Air Force. Over the years, Leon traveled extensively in his military years and gained friendships all over the world. He resided many years in Boston, Massachusetts, Brooklyn, New York, and Chesapeake, Virginia. In 1957, he was united in marriage to Gloria Ross in Boston, Massachusetts.
Dr. Credle was called to the ministry in the early 1970’s. In 1972, he was united in marriage to Leslie Bowe. In 1975, he served under the leadership of Reverend Matthew Cradle, Pastor of Mt. Hermon Church of Christ Disciples of Christ in Norfolk, Virginia. He became a Minister of the Gospel and an ordained preacher in 1980. Upon leaving Mt. Hermon, the Lord sent Leon to Garret Community Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia under the leadership of Bishop Johnny Reed, where he was also ordained. In 1985, he was united in marriage to Ann Credle. He was called to Pastor, Bethlehem Church of Christ Disciples of Christ for 4-5 years. Upon leaving Bethlehem, he went to First Baptist Campostella, in Norfolk, Virginia under the leadership of Dr. Harold Cason and remained close to Dr. Cason throughout the years, until his death in 2007. Dr. Credle was called to Pastor New Sawyers Creek Baptist Church in Camden, NC from 1993-2006. Under his leadership, he raised up Sons and Daughters in the ministry. From 2001-2008, he was on the air with Life Giving Radio Ministry on WGAI. Dr. Credle also served on the Executive Board of the Roanoke Missionary Baptist Association. In 2008 Dr. Credle moved back home to Manteo, North Carolina for a short time, and then to Canal Winchester, Ohio. He united with Smyrna Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio under the leadership of Bishop Fred L. Marshall. He remained in Ohio for nine years, until his death. Dr. Credle received his Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, Master of Divinity and ultimately a Doctor of Divinity in 1997 from Rhema Seminary and College.
Dr. Credle was preceded in death by his grandparents, who helped raise him: David Credle and Elizabeth Morris; his parents: Willie David Credle and Maggie Lee Meekins, two siblings, William Credle and Barbara C. Young, two children: Calvin and Linda Credle, one grandson, Tyron Credle. He leaves to cherish his memory: two sisters: Lelia C. Baker of Rocky Mount, NC and Janice Johnson of Rahway, NJ, six children: Robert L. Credle, Columbus, OH, Jeannette Credle Veal (James) Canal Winchester, OH, Anthony Carver (Tonya) Virginia Beach, VA, Dr. Rita R. Credle-Gibson (Benjamin), Clayton, NC, David Credle, Norfolk, VA; and Leah Alonzo, Dallas, GA, 15 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, 9 nephews and nieces and a host of relatives and friends. He is also survived by two uncles and one aunt, Uncle Theodore R. Meekins, Harbinger, NC, Aunt Wilma and Uncle Linwood Keys, of Washington, D.C. Dr. Credle will be remembered for his love of family gatherings, sense of humor, his bubbly personality and his favorite song, he often sang, “One Day at a Time”. He will also be remembered for the anointing that rested upon his life and the God-given ability to preach the oracles of God with power and authority, under the unction of the Holy Ghost.