Willie Goins

Willie was born on July 31, 1933, to the late Willie Theodore Goins and Rosie Lee Leonard Goins in Lake Providence, Louisiana.

As the first born son of a proud farmer, Willie spent his formative years in Lake Providence, where he attended the local schools. As a young child he developed a strong work ethic while doing early morning farm chores before school. His determination was evident because he excelled academically and ultimately became the valedictorian of his high school class.

Willie's ambition and commitment to excellence enabled him to continue his education at Southern University (SU) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Throughout his college years, he achieved exemplary academic performance while working two jobs to pay for his education. While at SU, Willie pledged the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, Beta Sigma undergraduate chapter in 1955. He was also a member of the U.S. Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). Upon graduation in 1957 he served a tour of duty in Germany.

Willie had a very busy and successful college experience, graduating with a double major in architecture and engineering. However, his greatest accomplishment was meeting and marrying the love of his life, Mattye Lucille Ewell.

After graduating from SU, Willie and Lucille, and their baby girl Rhonda Delisa, moved to Los Angeles, California in 1960. That same year he began his 36-year career as an aerospace engineer in Rockwell International's Space Division (now Boeing). One of the major highlights of his career was working on the Space Shuttle and Apollo Space project teams.

The Goins family later expanded with the birth of Stassen Conrad and Daphne Lynn. In 1968 they moved from Los Angeles to the South Bay community of Harbor City. Willie and Lucille were devoted parents and committed to maintaining a balanced and enjoyable family life. They were active members of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity and Delta Sigma Theta sorority, and also launched a successful real estate business. One of the greatest joys in their life was the birth of their grandchild, Gavin Von Brown.

As one of the founding charter members of the Zeta Rho chapter in Los Angeles, Willie was a lifetime member of Omega Psi Phi, and remained active until his health began to decline. When you consider his humble beginnings from a small farm community, and what he and his wife Lucille were able to create, Willie truly lived and embodied the Cardinal Principles of the fraternity: Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift. On Wednesday, March 10th at the age of 87 Willie went home to be with the Lord in Harbor City, CA. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lucille.