Deacon William Stanley Saines Sr.

SAINES, Deacon William Stanley Sr. - Age 89, passed away Saturday, August 5, 2017 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 11:30 AM Friday, August 11, 2017 at Greater Gaililee Baptist Church, 4418 Industrial Ave., with funeral service commencing at 12:00 PM Rev. Andre L. Williams officiating. Interment Gracelawn Community Cemetery, 5710 N. Saginaw St. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church at 11:30 AM Friday. Deacon Saines will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM Thursday. Deacon William Stanley Saines (Papa Saines) departed this earth and returned home to his heavenly Father on Saturday, August 5, 2017 at Hurley Medical Center at the blessed age of 89. William was born March 24, 1928 in Humboldt, Tennessee. He was the youngest of three children born to William and Sarah Saines. William’s strong work ethic started when at the age of 12 he had to leave Bethlehem school to work in the fields to help bring home money to his family. William accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized in the pond at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, soon after he became an ordained Deacon. “I stand at the head”, William married Alice Louise Franklin on February 9, 1946 and from that union nine children were born. In 1956, the family relocated to Flint, Michigan and in November, he began working for General Motors and retired after 30 years of faithful, dedicated service. Outside of General Motors, William loved working with his hands as a Carpenter, remodeling basements and homes with his good friend Charlie Leach. William united with St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in 1956, under the leadership of the late Pastor & Sister R. R. Gordon. As a faithful member, he did whatever was needed around the church, from doing repairs, to cutting and maintaining the lawn with his sons. At St. Paul, he served as a Deacon, Trustee, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher. In 1980, the late Rev. John T. Boyd asked Deacon Saines to unite with Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, serving as a Deacon and member of the Male Chorus. William remained a faithful member until his health would not allow him to attend regularly. William loved to barbeque on his homemade pit and making his own special sauce. Papa Saines enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren about God and Family. Every year at Easter, which was his mother’s birthday, the family packed in his station wagon or van and traveled to Bolivar, Tennessee. William also enjoyed gardening and playing Bidwist and Spades with family and friends. “I’ve been fair”, Papa Saines leaves to cherish his memory; six children, William Edward (Crystal) Saines of Burton, Sandra (Charles) Boseman, Stanley (Willie) Saines of Flint, Terry (Patience) Saines of Decatur, GA, Patricia Saines of Flint and Dewayne Saines of New Orleans, LA; son-in-law, Howard Walker of Flint; 16 grandchildren, including devoted grandson and care-giver Jerrell Saines Green; 32 great-grandchildren; 9 great, great, grandchildren including special great, great granddaughter Kaylin Walker; two brothers-in-law, Jim (Patricia) Franklin of Davison and Theodore Wiley of Flint; two sisters-in-law, Cinda (Leon) Anderson and Gloria Parram of Flint; a host of other beloved family and friends including niece, Charlene Woods; caring neighbor, Patty Pace and special family friend, Doris Allen. William was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Louise Saines; parents, William Saines and Sarah Collier; step-father, Arthur Collier; sisters, Aretha Crisp and Ressie Pankey; children, Annie Walker, Thomas & Michael Saines; grandchildren Ken Walker, Sabrina Williams & Terrence Saines. The family would like to extend special thanks to Hurley ICU staff, Dr. Linval Fleetwood, Lola Brown, Marie Allen, Pastor & Sister Andre Williams and the Greater Galilee Baptist Church family and to Patricia Saines for the exceptional care she provided to her father.

Deacon William Stanley Saines Sr.

March 24, 1928 - August 5, 2017