Willie 'Cheese' Tatum

Willie Tatum was born January 15, 1946 to Wren Tatum and Geneiva Page Tatum in Chicago, Illinois. In the early 1960’s, Mr. and Mrs. Tatum relocated to Columbus, Ohio, where Willie graduated from East High School. Willie worked at various jobs during his life, but his passion was singing. He sung with Johnson, Hawkins, Tatum and Durr, an RB group which was favored during Les Brown’s “Blue Mondays.” He also song with the Four Mints of Columbus. He was known to some as Willie, to others as “W.T.” or “Cheese”, and still others simply as “W” which always sounded like “Dubb.” However, to his three sons, he was known as Dad. Willie was a loving father, a kind friend and neighbor and ready to help those he could. He will be remembered for his beautiful smile and pearly white teeth. On Thursday, September 18, 2014, on a beautiful fall day, Willie’s physical presence left us; thus closing a beautiful life. In addition to his parents, Willie was preceded in death by his sister, Lula Mae Tatum. He leaves to cherish his memory: three sons, James (Tonya) Tatum, Craig (Cynthia) Tatum, and DeAngelo Tatum; grandchildren, Shanika, Jasmine, Aubrey, James, Dev, Kejuan, De’Shawn, Ivory, Ti’yanna, Anjel, and Al, all of Columbus, Ohio; three great grandchildren, Kechaune, Aleah, and Dior; siblings, Jesse (Betty) Tatum, Dorothy Watkins, Thomas Tatum, Jerry Tatum, and Ricky Tatum, all of Columbus, Ohio; and a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.