Relentless commitment to fairness, equality, and unconditional love defines the life of Willie B. Tart who departed from this world on May 10, 2022, at the age of 74.
Born on August 29, 1947, in Scotland County, North Carolina, to the late Ben and Eula Mae Tart, Willie was educated in the Scotland County School System. He completed I. Ellis Johnson High School in 1966 and attended Paine College in Augusta, Georgia, until his junior year in 1969 when he was drafted into the Army. There he earned his ranking of First Class Private as an Executive Chief. In 1970, his family relocated to New Haven, Connecticut, where he continued his educational pursuits and enrolled into the University of New Haven majoring in Arts and Sciences and graduated in 1978 with an Arts and Sciences Associate’s degree. At the young age of 27, Willie landed a job at Yale New Haven Hospital where he worked devotedly in Environmental Services for 47 years.
On his off time, Willie’s commitment to fairness and equality was on full display as he would faithfully assist anyone in need. He volunteered every Saturday at his church — St. Andrews United Methodist Church — where he attended regularly on Sundays, and he also helped at the Mount Hope Temple Recovery Center Food Pantry that was established by his sister. Willie served his community becoming a union steward and advocating other political issues with groups like NAACP and Union 1199 SEIU. Willie, “Bop” enjoyed his pastime being with family and friends bowling, fishing, traveling, and supporting his favorite sports football team, the Philadelphia Eagles — Always Building!
Willie B. was relentless in his quest for people to be treated fairly and equally and he loved his family and friends unconditionally! He was predeceased by his parents, Ben and Eula Mae Richardson Tart; brother,: Ben F.Tart (Julia), Reverend Willie L.Tart (Eutha Mae), and William T. Tart (Ruth); sisters, Catherine Pegues (Norman), Isabella McKee, Lillie B. Harris (Willie), Odessa Tart, Eleanor Tart, Maeola Patterson, and Hazel L. Carter (Willie). Willie leaves to cherish his wonderful memories, his siblings, Mary D. Williams of New Haven, CT, Mae McCoy (Bill) of Staten Island, NY, and Carl J.Tart (Gloria) of Kingstree, SC, four Godchildren, Carletta Reyes of Meriden, CT, Sylvaline Akuba Okoro of Round Rock, TX, Talia Mclean of Laurinburg, NC, Mark Schymon Stroud Jr. of Philadelphia, PA.; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces/nephews, great-great-nieces/nephews, great-great-great-nieces/nephews and beloved friends and colleagues.
Willie B. “Bop” will be remembered for his demonstrated faith and generosity of spirit, with commitment to fairness, equality and unconditional love for family and friends!
The celebration of life for Willie B Tart will be held on Monday, May 23, 2022 at 11:00 AM at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, 1230 Townsend Ave, New Haven CT 06513. Friends may call Monday at the church from 10:00 – 11:00 AM. Interment will be at Beaverdale Memorial Park, New Haven. Services by Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, 1287 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06511. To leave a message of comfort for the Tart family, please visit, www.hkhfuneralservices.com