James Willie was the fourth child of the late Ethelberth Heard. He was born October 23, 1957, in Hinds County, Mississippi. He departed this life on Tuesday, January 24,2023, at his home in Bolton, Mississippi. At a very young age he accepted Christ as his Savior and was united with Mt.
Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church in Bolton, Mississippi. He attended Hinds County Public School. James was employed with McHann Railroad and later worked for Gaddis and McLaurin Farms. His greatest hobby was fishing.

He was preceded in death by: one daughter, Sinclair Heard; mother, Ethelberth Heard;father Willie Harris; maternal grandmother, Ida Heard; brothers, Leroy, Tyrone and Jimmy; sisters, Gloria Jean, Robbie Mae and Betty Lou. Left to cherish memories of his life lived are: one uncle, Ernest Heard (Bumbie) Chicago, Illinois; siblings, Rubbie Thompson, Chicago, Illinois, Ethel Peyton (Isidore), Jackson, Mississippi, Jean Ella Heard, Bolton, Mississippi, Loretta Robinson (James), Bolton, Mississippi, Arlene Heard, Terry, Mississippi; and LaTanya Jordan (Michael), Monticello, Mississippi, Roger Heard (Barbara Faye), Bolton, Mississippi, Willie Harris (Annie) Gautier, Mississippi, Shirley Marshall, Byram, Mississippi, Charles Harris
(Clara), Bolton, Mississippi, Phil Harris (Loretha), Bolton, Mississippi, Mildred Watson, Canton, Mississippi, Curtis Harris, Bolton, Mississippi, and Rosie Harris, Bolton, Mississippi; special cousin/friend, Ray Charles (Bo) Bracey; special friends, Charles Johnson and Charles Perkins; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.