Rev. Dr. William Ulysses Booker Sr.

William Ulysses Booker, Sr., affectionately known as Dinkie, was born on January 18, 1928. He was the youngest of 8 children born to the late Lewis and Viola Booker. He is a product of Richmond Public Schools and a graduate of the Evans-Smith Religious Studies Program at Virginia Union University School of Theology. Dinkie was born to be a businessman. He began his entrepreneurship, while in his teens, with a shoe shine parlor at the corner of Cowardin Avenue and Hull Street. After working in several other businesses, including a lengthy career at Southside Loan, he became the founder and owner of Quick Drive-In Seafood on Hull St., which he operated for 27 years. He valued his customers and was known for allowing them to purchase a hot fish sandwich or hard shell crabs and pay later. Later in life he shared the love of Jesus as he shined shoes at Spit Dye and Shine, a business owned by his brother-in-law, at Richmond International Airport. Dinkie dedicated his life to Jesus at an early age but was called to the ministry in May 1976 and ordained in 1982. Rev. Booker received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from the Higher Learning Bible Seminary on May 16, 2004. Rev. Booker was a founding member of Koinonia Christian Church, where he served as Church Administrator and Chairman of the Trustee Ministry. He also served as Church Treasurer for over 20 years and he and his wife were instrumental in acquiring the property where the church presently resides. A life-long South Side resident, Rev. Booker cared deeply for his community. He was founder of the Hull Street Midlothian Civic Association where he served as president for a number of years. He served the City of Richmond as a member of the Welfare Advisory Board, the Mayor’s Committee for Changing the City Charter, and two terms on the City Planning Commission. He was a candidate for City Council in 1986. Rev. Booker was a member of Hobson Lodge #23, Prince Hall Affiliation for 73 years and, in his younger years, enjoyed spending time with his fraternal brothers. At his death, he was the oldest member of the fraternal organization. He was married to the late Rev. Dr. Marjorie Leeper Booker. Together they had 3 beautiful children, Phyllis Booker Hendrick Bell (Chauncey), William Ulysses Booker, Jr. (Lynda), and Jacqueline Booker Walker. They were also blessed with 8 grandchildren; Chris Booker-Carlisle (Dante), TaLisa W. Peterson (Barry Sr.), Ollie Hendrick Jr. (Monica), Micha B. Graves, Jahmal Walker (Keshana), Amaya Hendrick, Shannon Bell, and JaRod Hendrick; 20 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. In addition, he leaves to mourn a host of relatives and friends, including devoted nephews and nieces; Barry Booker (Esther), Brian Booker (Brenda), LaShirl Howlette (Ronald), Arlita Cooper (Michael), and Ardith Brown (Dana). Rev. Booker was smart, logical, wise, honest, and a hard-working family man with integrity. He was dedicated and committed to whatever he put his hand to. He was well loved and respected. He was a mentor to many and many called him “Dad”. His commitment to hard work, integrity and love for his fellow man will continue to inspire generations to come. He truly loved the Lord and believed that “what you do speaks louder than what you say”. Rev. Booker celebrated his 95th birthday this year. He became ill in February and after a brief hospital stay went to be with the Lord on April 20th. We celebrate “A Life Well Lived”.

Tributes

Rev. Dr. William Ulysses Booker Sr.

January 18, 1928 - April 20, 2023