Willie Avant Sr.

Willie Bernard Avant Jr., 75, of Troy, AL, passed away Wednesday, June 7, 2017.
He was born December 4, 1941 in Savannah to the union of Willie Avant Sr. and Mable Avant. He grew up in Pierce County with two brothers, Oscar and Albert. After  high school ,he continued his education in the state of California at California State University, Los Angeles.
During his stay in California, he married Della Hicks. To this union was born a son, Kharlston. In later years, he moved to Florida and studied at both Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach and at Florida A & M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, FL, where he earned his bachelor’s degree.
During his studies at FAMU, he met and later married Dolly Moore. To that union was born one son, Vhert Bertran (deceased) and one daughter, Dolyta Bernette. The Avants returned to California in about 1970, where he pursued both his Masters and PhD degrees in mathematics at the University of California Riverside.
His next move was to Atlanta where he taught at Morehouse College and Atlanta Junior College for several years. During this time, he also founded and pastored Greater Miracle Temple Church. His musical skills were well known. He has produced albums/CDs on Stax Records with the St. James Gospel Choir of Riverside, CA and the Miracle Voices of Atlanta.
During the early 2000s, he moved to Alabama and became a part of the Faculty of Troy State University Mathematics Department where he taught until his recent illness. He also befriended Jewel Chance who has remained a dear friend and caregiver.
Dr. Avant attended the County Line Missionary Baptist Church where Pastor Hollis is the presiding pastor and Dr. Avant was choir director and musician.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his mother, Mable Avant, Silver Spring, MD; his brothers, Oscar and wife Diana, Silver Spring, MD, Albert and wife Justine), Indian Trail, NC and Kharlston and wife Debbie, Atlanta; a daughter, Dolyta and husband, Atlanta; three grandchildren, Jasiel, Judah and Carl, and a host of other relatives, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, June 11, at the Green Hills Funeral Home, 1621 South U.S. Highway 29, Troy, AL.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, June 12, from the chapel of Green Hills Funeral Home.
Green Hills Funeral Home of Troy, AL is in charge of arrangements.