Willie E. Pender

December 5, 1952 - September 10, 2021

Willie Earl Pender was born December 5, 1952 in Wilson, North Carolina to Rebecca McNeil Pender and the late Lindburg Pender. Willie moved to New Haven, CT with his parents and siblings in the mid 60s. He received his education at James Hillhouse High school graduating in 1971. He started working for the railroad soon after high school in 1972. He was employed for 41 years Starting at Conrail, then Penn Central and later, Metro North. He met and married Linda Austin and to this union a child, his pride and joy Alita, was born. Many years later he met his forever girlfriend of 25 years, Dee Boomer. Willie, who was sometimes called “Chill Will” because of his quiet and relaxed personality, was not a man of many words and didn’t need to speak loud because he always meant what he said and would start out saying, “I’m going to tell you something right now.” Willie enjoyed having a good time with family and friends where he would pull up in his freshly washed and waxed car and step out in his double-breasted suit and Stacy Adam shoes. He loved to travel, whether it were by car, train, plane or boat. He took pride in and was very passionate about working for Metro North Railroad where he met a lot of good guys and made some great friendships. When it would show, he would say with a big smile, “that’s white gold” because it usually meant overtime. He was a big music lover and played the saxophone when he attended high school. He leaves to cherish his memory, his daughter, Alita Pender of Meriden, CT; a granddaughter, Alecia Pender of East Haven, CT; his mother, Rebecca Pender of Hamden, CT; brothers, Lindburg Pender of Hamden, CT, Raye Pender of Stamford, CT and Eugene Smith (Carol) of Atlanta, GA; sisters, Patricia Fontaine (Hugh) of Palm Bay, FL and Regina Lewis of Waterbury, CT; and his forever girlfriend, Dee Boomer. He was predeceased by his father, Lindburg Pender and a sister, Delores Person.