Willie Thomas

Ison

Willie Thomas "P Shooter" Ison Jr. was born July 18, 1948, in Griffin, Georgia. He was the oldest of three children born to W.T. and Virginia Ison.

While growing up he was a member of Red Oak United Methodist Church in Griffin, GA. Later in life, he confessed his faith in Christ at Word of Faith Cathedral Church in Austell, Georgia under the ministry of Bishop Dale Bronner.

Willie graduated from Fairmont High School in 1966, where he took on the name "P Shooter" due to his superlative skills in basketball. His talent in basketball earned him a college scholarship at Miles College. Miles College did not meet his expectation; therefore, he worked at the "Varsity" to pay for his tuition to Fort Valley State University. After attending Fort Valley State, his skills in basketball and swimming earned him a scholarship at Fort Valley. Later to his surprise, the Kentucky Colonel coach invited him to a rookie tryout camp in Louisville, Kentucky at Bellarmine College's Knights Hall that drew an estimate of 3,000 fans. He was very excited to play on the team with Lou Alcindor, better known as Kareem Abdul Jabbar. In 1969, during his time at Fort Valley State, Willie and eight other players won Fort Valley's first SIAC Basketball Tournament Championship. Forty-nine years later, they were inducted into Fort Valley State's Sports Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into Fairmont/Griffin Sports Hall of Fame. Willie loved Fort Valley State and Fairmont High. He proudly wore the colors and paraphernalia.

After graduating from Fort Valley State University, Willie taught history at Spalding Unit III. While there, he touched many lives. He was such an achiever and outgoing person, that he wanted to spread his wings, so he left the school system. Willie moved on to become a territory salesman for Shell Oil Company in Atlanta, Georgia. Soon after he was promoted and transferred to San Francisco, California to manage and operate his own gas station. While in California, his proudest moment was the birth of his son, Jarid Ison. Willie was very proud of all he had accomplished. Willie and his family later moved back to Georgia where he then worked as a car salesman for many years. He made certain when nieces, nephews, friends or anyone else needed a car to call him. That was his pride and joy.

Willie had such an amazing spirit and personality that he touched every person that knew him. He would strike up a conversation with anyone, would always make people feel welcome, and would give you the shirt off his back. His last accolade was on December 28, 2019, when Duke Richards held the 1st Annual Willie Ison ABA Pro Basketball Holiday Classic in his honor. Everyone that knew Willie knew him for all his sayings: "There is nothing to it but to do it", "Fo'Shizzle my Nizzle", and "You can't lose with the stuff I use".

Willie reconnected with his soulmate Geraldine Holt, and they were married on August 10, 2015. He would always say, "She let me be me"! He loved his immediate family and his extended family!

He was Willie to some, to others he was P Jr, P Shooter, Uncle P, transitioned this life on April 1, 2022. Left to cherish his memories are: His son, Jarid Ison (Rachael), his siblings Hazel Willis (Tommy), Brenda Kyser (Ralph). Nieces: Kendra Banks (Micheal), Kahlia Kyser. Nephews: Tommy Willis Jr. (Kawana), Leonard Willis (Jengea), Ralph Kyser, Erik Kyser (Candace), and a host of great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents, W.T. and Virginia Ison, and his wife Geraldine Holt Ison.