Willie "Lee" Younger

He was born on September, 20 1935 in Holdenville, Oklahoma.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jennie Washington and Willie Lee Younger, third wife Vivian Hamilton, siblings Vernon Younger, Elector Younger, Verna Lee Bowman, VR Younger, Maxine Sims, and Floyd Younger, a surviving twin brother.

He is survived by his first wife Barbara June, second wife Mary Diane Younger; his siblings Lee Anna Williams, Dorothy Anderson, Opal Clark, and Maggie Smith. His children Quintel Younger, Daytona McRaven, Shawn Braylock, Juan Younger, Bridgett Franklin, Lee Leon, Khusaba Seka, and Gretchen Younger; as well as a host of beautiful grand- and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was loved by many extended family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

His love for traveling started when he was young, often following his favorite musicians on tour. He studied cultural anthropology at the University of Minnesota, working towards a degree in social work.

He retired in 2008 from Children's Hospital in Dallas, Texas. He moved back to Minneapolis in early 2009 and used his retirement time as a community builder to get to know his neighbors and support his neighborhood with his leadership as an anchor family organizer for Backyard Initiative through the Cultural Wellness Center.

As a sports enthusiast, you could find him watching almost any game at home or at the stadium unless there was a family function to attend. He would get to those by train, plane or automobile. Family was the most important thing to him. Community connection meant the world to him.

Memorial services to be held at 2735 15th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407 (St. Paul's Home Apartments community room), June 14 2026, from 2:00pm to 6:00pm CST.