Mr. Willie Joe Gaston, 76, of Shelby, NC passed away on Friday, January 29, 2021 at Atrium Health- Cleveland in Shelby, NC. He was born on September 15, 1944 in Cleveland County, NC to the late Joe H. Gaston and the late Hattie Ross Gaston.

Willie Joe joined Shiloh Baptist Church at an early age and was a faithful member.

Willie Joe was a graduate of Cleveland High School and proudly served in the United States Navy with an honorable discharge and also a member of the American Legion. He was employed with J.P. Stevens and Kemet Electronics (Union Carbide) retiring after 22 years of service.

Willie enjoyed bowling and collecting music and sports. Willie Joe enjoyed taking whoever wherever they needed to go and enjoyed passing time with his family and neighbors Barbara Wilson and Carolyn Littlejohn.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Tipp Gaston and Dora Cobb (Hue); maternal grandparents Leroy and Loubissie Borders Ross; wife Evelyn Hopper Gaston whom with he fathered two children; wife Liz Kee Phelps Gaston; sister Juanita Gaston Jolley and lifetime friend Mack Hardy.

Willie leaves behind his son, Anthony Gaston (Teresa) of Gastonia, NC; daughter, Angela Gaston of Charlotte, NC; four brothers, Nathaniel Gaston (Regina) of Providence, RI, Carl Gaston Sr.; Bobby Gaston (Dorothy) both of Shelby, NC and Steven Gaston (Catherine) of Lawndale, NC; four sisters, Shirley Dixon (Rev Larry), Elaine Gaston; Faye Gaston, Annette Parrott (Randolph) all of Shelby, NC, Delores Crawford of Charlotte, NC and brother-in law Don Jolley of Kingstown, NC; grandsons, Aric Gaston (Chasity), Mario Wilson and Martrail Wilson all of Shelby, NC, Sidney Louvissie Jones of Charlotte, NC; granddaughters, Jerae' Gaston and Sophia Jones both of Charlotte, NC; step-grandchildren, Ronte' Houey of Shelby, NC, Terriall Ellis of Boiling Springs, SC and Leteashia Houey of Spartanburg, SC. Willie Joe has a total of 18 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews and friends which include his special friends, Edward Hardin, Ken Hunt, Shirley Peak Thomas, Ruby Surratt and Brenda Hardy.

The funeral service for Mr. Gaston will be private. He can be viewed from 9:00 AM until 10:30 AM on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at Shiloh Baptist Church in Shelby, NC. Burial will take place at Sunset Cemetery with military honors. The family will be meeting at 240 West Grover Street Apt. 9 on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 from 1:00 PM until 6:00 PM. Condolences can be expressed online at www.enloemortuary.com. Enloe Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.