Willie Harold Speed

I’ve collected, read and saved so many family and

friends obituaries over my 71 earthly years. Ya, know I

tried to make it to everybody’s service! BTW, the food

was always good at the repass, and fo sho, I stacked

my plates high!� Well, the time has come for my

obituary to be read… So, sit back and READ IT!�

I’ve had an amazing “CADILLAC” ride…

I was born June10,1955 to Willie James and

Wilburteen Pace-Speed of which, both have preceded

me in transition. Most of you know me by my

nickname “COWBOY” I bet you didn’t know my sister

Vernee’ gave me that name the day I was brought

home from the hospital. Yeah, I was told she was

outside playing Cowboys and Indians when she found

out “My Momma” and “My Daddy” ( some of y’all get

our family’s terminology � ) had a boy! Vernee’

proceeded to excitedly run through the neighborhood

shouting “WE HAVE A “COWBOY!!” All the neighbors

came to the house asking to see me, the little

“Cowboy” and the nickname stuck with me. I wore that

nickname with honor! When the family moved from

2850 Norton in the early sixties to 4101 College, there

sat Melody Lanes Bowling Alley on the corner of 41st

and Indiana. I started bowling at a very young age and

actually, I should've stuck with it because, I was

extremely good at it! I bowled in tournaments within

the four state area and yes, we won pretty much all of

our tournaments! Damn! I know, I should've gone Pro!

I went to schools right here in Kansas City, Grade

School, Sanford B.Ladd, Middle School, Martin Luther

King Jr. and the Infamous Central High School. Now, I

did visit the campus of Penn Valley Community

College a few years in a row but, I was merely there to

get a better education on the female species!�

Those that know me, definitely understand when I say:

The 70’s & 80’s were my Golden years!.. Man, I loved

those years so much!! In reality, I never left! Over the

years, I may not have continued wearing my 70’s

“Rags” but, I undoubtedly kept my 70’s & 80’s mental

state all the way to the end!

“Living My Life like It Was “Golden”

I moved out of my parents house at 17 years old and

into my first apartment at 2714 Olive! My grandmother

owned the building so, you know I got the family rate!

Obituary Of Willie Harold Speed June 10-1955 - 20-

In the 70’s & 80’s looking good and dressing sharp was

a must!!! I wore my loud colors too! Y’all know a

brother had to have a few “NIK NIK” shirt! ! Oh yes, I

had Purple Passion, and Mellow Yellow Bell Bottoms

along with every color Sansabelt Slacks made! My

swag was not complete without some Platform Shoes

and an Apple Cap! Hats and Caps, made ya feel

grown!! � So, my first real job was at “National Shirt

Shop”on 31st and Troost! I was buying shirts and

slacks from National and, every other week paying on

my Suites in Layway at “Harold Penner’s” I would be

“CLEAN AS THE BOARD OF HEALTH” every time I hit

the Streets!

Trust me, I was hitting those streets as often as

possible and, I had to be SHARP!

Later, myself and a few of my best friends got jobs at

General Motors in Leeds. I worked for GM until I

retired! Hey, anybody remember when “Every” Friday,

some “PARTS just didn't get put in or on cars exactly

correctly!� You know why!� During that time, I met

and married my lifetime friend and first wife Cheree

Gaston- Speed from that union we were blessed with

an amazing son, Courtney Ryan Speed…However,

That is not the only child I have! Yes, I have a

Princess, Janaya Speed- Amos ( Andreas) and another

son DeAndre Speed, I can honestly and whole

heartedly proudly say, I love my three children with all

my heart!

While working for General Motors had the opportunity

to travel and work around the country, where I met,

and became friends with so many beautiful spirited

people. Thank you for your lifetime friendships.❤

After my retirement from GM I returned home to KC

and joined my Daddy in the family Lawn Service

Business.

Somehow, I knew I wasn't gonna stay with that too

long. See, I always had bad allergies to grass and

pollen so, Lawn servicing was never really going to be

good for me but, I gave it a gallant try!

While working with my Daddy, I met the Angel of my

dreams, the person who’s undoubtedly been my “Sho

Nuff Ride or Die Soulmate” Loralei Jones.♥

My Queen! Lori, accepted and loved me just as I was,

including everything that came with me! Lorie, kept me

on top of my life goals, my health and in those

moments when I couldn’t do for myself she did it, with

no complaints! Lorie took pride in making certain I

was always looking like the “Cowboy” who the outside

world knew and loved! In her words “We represent

each other” You always knew we were together, she

kept us in matching garments, be it colors or swag! Oh

yeah, sometimes we'd be matching from head to toe! I

think my favorite was the Brown and White Calf Skin

outfits with the matching cowboy boots! � Yes, the

beautiful women Lorie is, made me want to changed

my earthly journey for the better! Lorie, I have loved

and appreciated you from the beginning to the end…

Thank You For Loving Me The Awesome Way You

Love…♥

As I travel on to my next journey, I leave no one to

Mourn! Instead, I leave to celebrate my life…

The Speed family matriarch Aunt Helen Speed

My love, Loralei♥

My three children ( I previously named)

My Grandchildren,

Davion (Dadu) Davis

Tierra (TT) Johnson

Chyna Speed

Andeas ( Buddy) Amos II

Courtne’ Speed

Andrea Amos

Callie Speed

My Great Grandchildren,

Leilani Davis

Aleia Davis

Da’Vi Davis

Mylia Stewart

My Brother, Robert Darnell Speed

My Sisters, Barbara J. Speed, Beverly Speed, Cathy

Speed, Vernee’ Cheeks and Darcus Speed-Gates

(George) My personal nicknames for the last two

( VUNN- NA- NA’ ) and my Irish Twin ( DAR-KRAWN)

Love Y’all…♥

My Awesome Nieces of 4101… Some “I’ve”

nicknamed �

Ebony Creal (Eba-Zeb), Angel Hicks (Angel Face),

Brandi Speed (Bran), Astin ( Azzie) Shipley-Gates

Ashley Gates- Garrison (Jeffrey) Lois ( Honey)

Blackman

My Nephews of 4101…

David Howard, DaJuan Clayton Mathew Amend, Colin

( Nephew) Shipley-Gates, Odassis ( Big O) Cheeks

and…

All who called me, “Uncle Cowboy” I love you ❤

A family of cousins, close friends and those who

referred to me as a brother ❤

Don't worry about me, I’m in the arms of God, with my

mother, father, grandparents a vast array of friends and

family. Oh yeah, you better know it!!… Me and my

brothers are reunited! Raymond Lewis Speed- (AKA)

RABONE, KOOL-AID,ALVIN STONE, CISCO KID,

GOLDIE THE MACK and My Brother from another

mother, Rahn Brown, WE”RE TWO STEPPING

AROUND HEAVEN TOGETHER!!!

SHED NO TEARS Instead, go out enjoy your lives and

when you think of me, smile and say: “Cowboy” lived

his life Like It Was Truly 70’s Golden…

Because It definitely was!

Blessings to all, you were such an inspirational part of

my amazing “CADILLAC” JOURNEY! ♥

IF I DON’T SEE YA… I SAW YA! �

“COWBOY”♥