Mr. Willie M. Roach, 76, of 587 Willie Lane, York, gained his wings on Monday, July 3, 2023 at Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House in Rock Hill, SC. Born December 30, 1946 in Rock Hill, he was a son of the late Mary Louise (Rankin) and William Henry Roach.

Funeral services will be 1:00 pm, Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at Union Baptist Church in Rock Hill, SC, with Rev. Dr. Charles A. Woods officiating.  The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm prior to the service.  Mr. Roach will lie in state from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon. Burial with military honors will follow at Grandview Memorial Park-Hollis Lakes.

He was educated in the York County School System, attending West End Elementary and graduating from Emmett Scott High School on Crawford Rd, Rock Hill, S.C.

In addition to his parents William H., and Mary Louise Roach, he is preceded in death by his sisters; Pauline Moore, Thomassina Roach and Helen Ruth Jeter; Brothers: Phillip Roach and Jerry Roach; Grandson, Willie Marion Haynes Jr.; As well as nephew; Ronald Mimms.

Mr. Roach was a forklift operator at Pepsi Cola and Performance Friction, as well as a professional musician. He had a lifelong love of performing. His very first band was The Spidells and in 1966 New Souls was formed with his good friend Mr. Jonny (Boggie) King in New York City. Then in the summer of the same year he was drafted into the military. Mr. Roach was a part of several music groups Jump Street, The Night Crawlers and The No Name Band just to name a few. Mr. Roach also sang gospel music with several quartet groups. Mr. Roach played alongside Mr. Bobby Plair as well. Mr. Roach wrote and composed the music for alma mater, West End Elementary with his son Willie Marion Haynes, Sr.

Mr. Roach leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife Iris C. Roach of the home in York, SC; his daughters, Cher W. Jones of Charleston, SC and Lavell M. Roach of Rock Hill, SC; sons Jermaine Jefferson (Debra) of Columbia, SC and Willie Marion Haynes, Sr. of Charleston, SC; grandchildren, Kennedy Jones, Madison Jones, Ketia Haynes, Keanna Cooper-Haynes, Zaire Smith-Haynes, Felicity Smith-Haynes all of Charleston, SC, Toi Haynes, Jaynae Jefferson, Jayda Jefferson, Jaylen Jefferson all of Columbia, SC, Isis Simpson of Rock Hill, SC; one sister, Doris Massey of Charlotte, NC; nephew, Kale Roach of Charlotte, NC; nieces: Shenika Roach and Carla Roach both of Rock Hill, SC; great-nephews, Jeremy Massey, Kale Roach, Jr, and Parras McCullough all of Rock Hill, SC; great-nieces Carlisha Morrison, Kylasha Mimms, and Kelci Roach all of Rock Hill, SC; great-grandchildren Kannon Rodgers of Charleston, SC and Dallas Bartell of Columbia, SC and a host of relatives and friends.

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