In the early morning hours of Saturday, June 25, 2011, God looked over the balcony of glory and saw the condition of his servant, William "Willie" Edward Bland, at the home of his daughter, An angel dispatched to Willie's bedside and softly said "come unto me and I will give you eternal rest". Willie accepted the call and rose to a higher realm with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. William Edward Bland was born on September 19, 1920 to the late Edward Lee Bland and Henrietta Carter, in Baltimore, Marland. His only brother, John Henry Cobbs preceded him in death. Willie received his education from the Baltimore City Public School System where he graduated from Frederick Douglas High School in 1938. He also attended Cortez Peters Business School receiving a Certificate of completion in Business Administration. On January 2, 1942 Willie entered the United States Army where he served in many capacities; he later received an honorable discharge on September 28, 1945. Willie loved to work, and for many years worked two jobs. He retired from Fort Meade as an elevator repair engineer. In 1945 at a social gathering on Fayette Street, Willie met the love of his life, Katie. Willie and Katie were married on December 26, 1946. This friendship and love lasted 54 years until Katie's death July 25, 2000. From this union were four children: Betty, Stanley, Steven, and Katrina. Raised in a Christian home, Willie was also nutured in Sunday school and worship services at Mount Carmel Baptist Church beginning with Rev. Jenkins and Ms. Laura, first lady. He loved to attend church. For more than seventy years Willie was a loyal, dedicated, and proud serving member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church, currently named New Carmel Star Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Everett L. Givens. Willie held numerous offices within the church including positions on the Trustee and Usher Boards; where he especially enjoyed leading in the ushers every Sunday morning. His favorite past time was listening to music and dancing. The caring and sharing spirit Willie demonstrated through his dedication of caring for his mother, father, and wife during their period of illness is a legacy the family will follow. Willie was a person full of life and laughter; once you met him you could not forget him. He had a happy spirit and sense of humor that cannot be replicated. To know him was to love to him and those who were privileged to meet him have been truly blessed. He leaves a family that is grateful and thankful to GOD for allowing them to have such happy memories that will alway remind them of the love and thoughtfulness that Willie gave throughtout the years. This uncludes: three daughter: Elaine Curtis, Betty Bland-Thomas, and Katrina, two sons: Stanley and Steven, a son-in-law, William Thomas, a sister-in-law, Mary Cobbs, six grandchildren, Chrystal Bland, Ericka Byrd, Cheryl Gross, Neicy DeWitt, Mike Brown, Forrest Burke and Janice Weems, who preceded him in death, great-grandchildren, great great-grandchildren and four generation of nieces him and nephews, a devoted God-sister, Shirley W. Richards, and a host of adoptive children, church members and numberous friends.