Willie James Penix Obituary (1944

Willie James Penix aka Bodyman, age 67, of Bridgeport, husband of devoted wife Elizabeth Barreiro-Penix, departed this life on Saturday, March 3, 2012. James was born in Macon, GA on July 14, 1944 to the late Louis James Penix and Lucille Johnson. James was very outgoing, and among his passions, his love of cars stands out the most. His trade was auto repair, in which he made a lifelong career working at several automotive repair facilities in the Greater Bridgeport area, including Scap Dodge of Fairfield. He was self-taught and skilled in auto painting, engine repair, but his specialty was collision repair, earning him the affectionate nickname of Bodyman. He often sacrificed his own plans, to help someone get their car going (at times from his own pocket). James also enjoyed fishing, cooking, traveling (Down South, Puerto Rico), listening to old school R&B (Ray Charles) and gospel (Mahalia Jackson, Shirley Caesar), the company of his many grandchildren (as long as they didnt get too loud), and recently watching the paternity test episodes of the Maury Povich Show. When he was able to, James enjoyed attending Mt. Aery Baptist Church in Bridgeport. Survivors include sons, Curtis J. Penix of Bridgeport, CT and Darrien L. Penix of New Britain, CT; daughters, Jo Ann D. Slade of Bridgeport, CT and Phyliss Moss of Warner Robins, GA; step-daughter, Elizabeth Perez of Bridgeport, CT; step-sons Richard Oviedo of Puerto Rico and Gilbert Oviedo of PA; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends. James was predeceased by his parents; his brother Leroy Hudson; and was widowed in 2010 by wife Lola Mae Penix. Funeral services will be held at Friday, March 9, 2012 at Mount Aery Baptist Church, 73 Frank Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604. The viewing will begin at 10:00 A.M. until time of service at 11:00 A.M. Interment immediately following at Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in the name of Willie James Penix to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.