Willie Marcelle Fant

Honoring the Life of Willie Marcelle Fant

God looked around His beautiful garden and found a space, He then looked down and saw your tired face.  Willie Marcelle Fant, 88, of Belton, SC went into the loving arms of our Lord and Savior on Monday, November 18, 2024. He was born March 31, 1936, in Anderson SC to the late James Ervin Fant and Sallie E. Adger Fant.

Marcelle gave his life to Jesus when he was about sixteen years old and was a dedicated, and faithful member of Jefferson Chapel A.M.E. Church for seventy-two years.  Marcelle’s dedication led him to become a member of the Adult Choir, the Senior Adult Choir, Church School Superintendent, Class Leader, Delegate to the 7th Episcopal District Annual Conference, Church Steward, Trustee, and Finance Committee Officer. He was also a member of the Anderson Masonic Lodge #207.

Marcelle retired from the Torrington Plant in Honea Path, SC.  He loved working on cars and could talk to you about them all day if you let him! He loved working in his yard (every tree and shrub he planted grew), going on cruises (his room had to have a balcony because he said cruising the ocean and watching the ripples in the water was relaxing and peaceful), having family time (especially family dinners at his daughter Phyllis’s house on Sundays), choir and gospel singing (especially when he saw his children and grandchildren singing in the choir or on a program).  His eyes would light up, and sometimes shed a tear, because he was so proud of them.  Marcelle enjoyed helping others. If he helped you do something and you tried to pay him, his phrase was, “God has been good and blessed me to help you, so pass it on”.

Marcelle was a godly man who touched the lives of many people.  He leaves to mourn his passing a loving and devoted wife of sixty-three years, Mary Lee Fant (Tate).  The loving children of this union are Curtis (Diane) Harris, James (Eileen) Smith, Frances Fant, Phyllis Willis, Jennifer (Clarence) Beaty, Paris (Naydu) Fant, and Marian (Samuel Davis) Gaines and a granddaughter raised in the home, Marisa Fant.  Marcelle is also survived by twenty-seven grandchildren, sixty-three great-grandchildren, forty-three great-great-grandchildren, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who loved him dearly and will truly miss his wisdom, compassion, quick wit and infectious laughter.

Marcelle’s unwavering commitment to his family and Christian faith, his consistent love and support, his dedication to raising his children with strong values, his reliability in times of need, his ability to be a strong leader while also being gentle and caring, and his genuine joy in sharing life with his loved ones, proved him to be a great husband, father and friend.

He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He was preceded in death by his five brothers, Richard Eugene, James Charlie, James Andrew, Sylvester Lewis and John Foster Fant and four sisters, Corrine Davis, Alberta Hill, Frances Thompson and Mertha Porterfield.  He was also preceded in death by one grandson, Matthew Merriweather; three great-granddaughters, Frances Nicollia Smith, Alana Nicole Smith, and Aleeah Reign Peterson; and a son-in-law, Edred Willis, Jr.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at Jefferson Chapel A.M.E. Church.  The interment will follow in the church cemetery.  Public viewing will be held on Friday from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family is at the home.

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