Reverend Willie James Cohen was born 04-01-1939 in Orlando, Florida, and was the eldest son of the late Reverend Hiram A. Cohen and Mrs. Elnora Banks.
Reverend Cohen was educated in the Public School system of Orange County, graduating from the historic Jones High School, where his legacy is enshrined in the Jones High School Hall of Fame as Willie ”Dusty” & “Gas Rag” Cohen because of his football prowess also playing Baseball and basketball, in which earned him a full scholarship to further his post-secondary studies in Albany, Georgia at Albany State, a public Historical Black University (HBCU), and continued his post-secondary studies in North Carolina at Shaw University, the first HBCU in the Southern United States.
Reverend Cohen accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior at an early age and grew up in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, serving in various positions throughout his childhood, teenage, and adult years. In 1980, at St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Dr. George Lovelace Champion, Sr., Reverend Cohen heard the voice of the Lord calling him to a higher level – to preach the Gospel. To prepare him for his ministerial journey, Reverend Cohen attended seminary at the Central Florida Theological Institute, and in 1984, under the tutelage of the late Reverend LeRoy Kennon, he was ordained as an Itinerant Elder by the late Bishop Phillip R. Cousin, Presiding Prelate of the Eleventh District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Reverend Cohen worked for John H Harland Company for 25 years, for which he received the perfect attendance award in the 25 years he was there. Reverend Cohen served as Senior Pastor of several Central Florida and Tampa churches. Before retiring as a full-time pastor, his final charge was Senior Pastor of Mount Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church in Bushnell, Florida. Reverend Cohen joined the Orange County school system as a substitute teacher for Meadowbrook, Carver, Memorial Middle School, and Eccleston Elementary. After retiring, he joined Historic St.James African Methodist Episcopal Church, serving faithfully until his illness. Reverend Cohen was a dedicated father to his only child Kenyatta “ Kim” Cohen Hill.
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Elaine Vaughn says
June 20, 2024 at 1:36 AMTommy (and Chris), my deepest condolences on the passing of your dear brother. May you feel the strength, love and comfort from “The Comforter” as only He can give. Earth has no sorrow, that Heaven cannot heal. Love and prayers🙏🏽
Linda Thurston says
June 22, 2024 at 9:46 PMFrom my heart to your heart, May the Spirit of Our Lord be with Kimberly/ Family, always! Peace/Blessings 💔🌹🙏🏼
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