WILLIAM "BILL" "HONEY" FILES SR., 84, of Fort Wayne, was promoted to Glory Friday, June 8, 2007. He was the owner-operator of Files Barber Shop and an anchor of the Pontiac/ Anthony Community for decades. He was born on July 24, 1922, in Uniontown, Ala. Honey was a Buffalo Soldier in the 92nd Division of the U.S. Army and served in World War II earning two Bronze Stars. He moved to Fort Wayne in 1947. Affectionately called "Pops", by younger family members and friends, he was a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church from the time of his arrival in Fort Wayne. "He had a great sense of humor, a smile as bright as the moon and a spontaneous laugh that was truly genuine. Pops was a bigger than life true character. In an age where good African American male role models are hard to find, he set a standard for Christian manhood and fatherhood. A mentor, a counselor, a confidant, a helper, a friend, Honey was all of these to so many people." Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Dawn Files; two daughters, Cecelia (James) Graham and Cynthia (Levon "Cuda") Williams; three sons, Michael (Claudia) Files, Clifton (Gladys) Files and Terry Files; two stepsons, Brian and Justin Taylor; two brothers, Willie (Cheryl) Taylor and Preston (Christine) Chaney; one sister, Mary Ann (Lee) Lewis; 22 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his eldest son, Reverend William Files Jr. Service is 11 a.m. Thursday at Pilgrim Baptist Church, 1331 Gay St. Calling is from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the church, with a Veterans memorial service at 7 p.m. Interment in Covington Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Ellis Funeral Home.
WILLIAM "BILL" "HONEY" FILES SR., 84, of Fort Wayne, was promoted to Glory Friday, June 8, 2007. He was the owner-operator of Files Barber Shop and an anchor of the Pontiac/ Anthony Community for decades. He was born on July 24, 1922, in Uniontown, Ala. Honey was a Buffalo Soldier in the 92nd Division of the U.S. Army and served in World War II earning two Bronze Stars. He moved to Fort Wayne in 1947. Affectionately called "Pops", by younger family members and friends, he was a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church from the time of his arrival in Fort Wayne. "He had a great sense of humor, a smile as bright as the moon and a spontaneous laugh that was truly genuine. Pops was a bigger than life true character. In an age where good African American male role models are hard to find, he set a standard for Christian manhood and fatherhood. A mentor, a counselor, a confidant, a helper, a friend, Honey was all of these to so many people." Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Dawn Files; two daughters, Cecelia (James) Graham and Cynthia (Levon "Cuda") Williams; three sons, Michael (Claudia) Files, Clifton (Gladys) Files and Terry Files; two stepsons, Brian and Justin Taylor; two brothers, Willie (Cheryl) Taylor and Preston (Christine) Chaney; one sister, Mary Ann (Lee) Lewis; 22 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his eldest son, Reverend William Files Jr. Service is 11 a.m. Thursday at Pilgrim Baptist Church, 1331 Gay St. Calling is from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the church, with a Veterans memorial service at 7 p.m. Interment in Covington Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Ellis Funeral Home.
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