Mail carrier and music lover was doting family man
September 9, 1941 — September 3, 2021
OBITUARY
William P. Head, Jr. [“Billy”] was born to Eleanor E. and William P. Head, Sr. on February 9, 1941. He was the middle brother, after John W. [“Bucky”] and preceding Michael T.
Billy graduated from East Technical High School in 1959 and went to work for the Cleveland Public Library, a job that only enhanced his love for books. He moved on to the US Postal Service just as he was beginning his new family. He and Raychele P. Glass married October 6, 1962, and they had two children, William P., III and Michele D. Although they divorced, Bill and Raychele remained friends until her death in 2016.
Billy loved his work as a route carrier, appreciating both the exercise and a certain kind of independence. After many years, he became a supervisor. Following his retirement, he worked for a short time at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
While working at the Post Office, Billy met the love of his life, Jacqueline Bettis, and they married on December 24, 1982. He and Ma-Ma, as she was affectionately called, spent many years enjoying each other’s company, taking trips with family and friends, entertaining and loving on each other’s children as if they were their own.
Billy was a music lover, and he especially enjoyed listening to jazz with his son Corky. He was also an avid reader, but his day was not complete until he talked on the phone with his daughter Mikki.
Billy was preceded in death by his mother Eleanor Woodard (Robert, deceased), father William Sr. (Gloria, deceased), wife Jacqueline Head, and brother Michael.
Billy is survived by his brother John W. Head (Alice). He will be lovingly missed by his children. William “Corky” Head, Michele “Mikki” Head; his brother John W. Head (Alice); stepchildren Lynne Colson (Robert), Aljay Bettis, III (Roxie), Vicki Moore (Thomas); grandchildren Christopher-John Smith, Gregory M., Gabrielle D., William IV (aka Sean William) and Teresa Head, Rahman I, Robert III and Rakia Colson, Andre and Austin Moore, Christin Zollicoffer; great-grandchildren: Makayla Head, Ava Cochran, Brianna, and Andre Moore, Jr., Robbi and Rahman Colson, II, Michaela, Christiana, and Caleb Zollicoffer; cousins Marva “Cookie” Holly, Deborah McGill, and Crystal Jackson; and a host of cousins, friends and loved ones.
Funeral Service
The funeral service will be Friday September 24 at 10:30 AM at E. F. Boyd and Son’s 89th Street Chapel, 2165 East 89 Street [44106]. A 10AM wake will precede the service.
The service will be livestreamed here.
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