Roll Call Tribute

Willie Roy Gentry 

January 5, 1937 - November 9, 2023 

Willie Roy Gentry was born on January 5, 1937 to Hilda (Faust) Gentry and James Gentry in Houston, Texas. He grew up in the Trinity Gardens neighborhood and attended Sanderson Elementary and Phillis Wheatley High School. His distinguished classmates included the late Honorable Barbara Jordan and Dr. Ruth Simmons, current Presidential Fellow at Rice University.

Willie received his bachelor degree (Pre-Law) and master degree (Education) at Texas Southern University, and did his school administration studies at the University of Houston, and his doctoral degree studies at Texas A & M University. He started teaching in the late 1950’s at Atherton Elementary, served as Assistant Principal at Crawford and Montgomery Elementary Schools, and as Principal of Doris Miller and Mading Elementary Schools and Woodson Middle School. For 10 years, Willie Gentry proudly served as the principal of Evan E. Worthing Senior High School.

In 1982, he was promoted to the position of Executive Director of Alternative Schools. He retired from the Houston Independent School District after 41 years of service in 2000. A special reception was held at the HISD Administration Building to honor Willie and his wife Shirley for their combined eighty-one years as teachers and administrators, providing education and guidance to thousands of students across the Houston area.

Willie was devoted to his loving wife, Shirley (Session) Gentry, whom he met while at TSU after being introduced by his lifelong friend, Jesse Session, Jr., who also happened to be Shirley’s brother. On June 17, 1962, Shirley and Willie were married and sustained their love for each other for 61 years. To their union, a daughter was born, Dr. Hilda A. Gentry, who followed her parents’ footsteps as a teacher and principal.

Willie Gentry was known for his love for God and for his faith. He served as President of the National Baptist Youth Convention, church trustee, deacon, membership leader, Gospel Choir director for 30 years, annual Easter Cantata director, principal of Vacation Bible School, saxophonist in the church band and orchestra, church historian, and scriptwriter for the Historic St. John Church (on Emancipation Way) Bible Class on the Air radio broadcast, a 1950’s precursor of live-streaming. During the last months of his life, he was proud to be a Good Hope Church “Rooted and Grounded” class participant on Zoom, unable to walk and barely talk, but still able to give praise to His Lord and Savior.

Willie actively served his community and his city as President of the Astrodome Rotary Club and President of the Woodshire Civic Club, the first black person to hold those positions, President of the Houston Association of School Administrators, Vice President of Houston Food Bank Board of Directors, and Spaulding for Children adoption services board member. He was appointed to the Texas Educator Professional Standards Board and to the Louisiana Alternative Education Advisory Committee, and held numerous official positions at the state, regional and national levels.

Willie loved his family, church and community, along with his school faculties and students. He enjoyed traveling all over the world and had visited every state. He was passionate about jazz music and good food. Willie truly was a man who never met a stranger. He was loved, and he will be missed.

Willie Gentry was preceded in death by his parents, James and Hilda Gentry, and his brothers, Rev. James Gentry, Jr., and Samuel Gentry, Sr. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Session Gentry, daughter, Dr. Hilda A. Gentry, brother-in-law, Jesse Session, Jr., sister-in-law, Yvonne Gentry, nephews, James “Jay” Gentry (Jerlinda), Thomas Gentry (Dawn), John Gentry (Sandra), Samuel Gentry, Jr., and Jesse “Wilford” Session, III (Gina); nieces Jacquelyn Gentry Rockamore (Jermaine), and Cheryl Session; goddaughter, Jabria Gentry, great-nephews Thomas Gentry, Jr., James Gentry, Jesse Session IV, and great-nieces, Amanda (James) Riley, Dr. Jontia Gentry, Leah Gentry and Sara Session; great-great nephew Geoffrey Rockamore, great-great niece Ashley Riley and a host of cousins and family members.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Houston Food Bank in his honor.