Biography: Wilford Pelzer suddenly slipped away from Earth to eternal rest on Saturday, September 5th 2026. Deacon Pelzer, known to many as Uncle Willie, was born on September 22, 1941 in Dorchester County, South Carolina to the late Winston and Jessie Belle Pelzer. Wilford is the 2nd oldest child of eight sibling: Four sisters of whom three preceded him in death: Josephine Washington of St. George, S.C, Mrs. Rosa Washington of District Heights, MD, and Mrs. Jessie Mae Doye of Silver Spring, MD and four brothers of whom three preceded him in death Mr. Pete Pelzer, Leroy Pelzer, and Charlie Pelzer. 

Deacon Pelzer attended the Williams Memorial School. Wilford, education ended in the fifth grade in 1950. He worked alongside his father to provide for the family as sharecroppers. His father, Mr. Winston Pelzer bought his family freedom at the Wesley Plantation in SC. 

Wilford relocated to NYC 1969 to have a better life for family. He worked as a yellow cab driver until he passed the test and started working for NYC Transit MTA on January 28,1974 in the  bus depot as a caretaker cleaner for 2 years. Wilford took the promotional test for the conductors; which he passed and were put on a waiting list.  Due to a hiring freeze he was offered a position as a railroad clerk on February 9, 1976. In his thirty years of service, he floated around different stations in the boroughs of NYC relieving co-workers from their shifts, and vacations. After 23 years of floating he found his permanent residence at 116th Street and Lenox Avenue, the number 2 line. until his retirement in May 2004.

At a young age Deacon Pelzer accepted the lord as his savior at Second Providence Baptist Church at Bowman, SC. After Pelzer’s retirement, he began to attend church on a regular basis with his wife Linda. The Pastor at Greater Emmanuel Baptist Church noticed his faithful attendance record. Brother Pelzer willingly accepted the assignment and protocol of the pastor. . After being tested for several months, he was offered a key to the church. When he accepted it, he later became a walking deacon. On September 29, 2013 he became ordained to be a deacon, and continued to assist the Pastor in any assignments she asked of him. He was devoted, and  dedicated to the Pastor requests and the church and his community.
 
Deacon Pelzer served his church faithfully. Once he retired he devoted his extra time at the Greater Emmanuel Baptist Church until becoming a Devoted Deacon doing everything, anything and whenever his Pastor would ask of him morning, noon or night / rain,sleet or shine and snow  and he was committed times as the church custodian to feed the cat and anything else that was needed.

Deacon Pelzer was a very generous, loving, kind-hearted, humorous man. He was a surrogate father, and uncle to many who knew him. Deacon Pelzer looked forward to spending quality time with his grandchildren: taking them to school, doctors appointments, playing at the park, playing tea time and sharing laughs with his grands. He always shared wisdom and understanding with anyone who came in his path. He was a soft spoken person who thought about the words to say, before he said them; because you can't take the words back once it's been said. He also was available to speak to anyone to encourage. He was a great provider for his entire family, friends, and community. He was also a major contributor who supported his church and many others, neighbors , and in the community who were in need. And never did he complain or brag about his generosity or his abilities. His motto is "If I could help someone along the way, my living would not be in vain.”
 
He leaves to cherish his beautiful memories with his beloved Wife (Linda Stephens-Pelzer,of New York, NY; Three sons; one of this Blessed union, Dwayne Pelzer of New York, NY, LaVern Pelzer of New York, NY, Three Daughters Rena Acosta, of Ohio, Blessed in another union with his previous wife, Ms. Frances Brown Pelzer; two daughters Willa Dean Pelzer (Tony M.) Smith of Bronx, NY, Jeremiah Pelzer (Georgia Walker) of Washington D.C., DC.
 
One surviving sister Dora Mae (Rev. William) Ellis; One surviving Brother Mr. Lee Cooper (Alfreda) Pelzer, Two Special bonus sisters Georgia Mae (Joseph W.)Smalls of Bowman, SC; Susie Sanders and bonus Nephew Howard Sanders; Two sisters-in-law Delaine Stephens of St. George, SC; Dorothy Stephens of Florida.
 
Six Brother-in-laws William Washington Jr. of District Heights, MD; Hogar (Raquel) Stephens of Atlanta, GA; Richard (Patricia) Stephens of St George, SC, Charles (Liecia) Stephens of Atlanta GA, Ricky Stephens, and Kent Stephens both of Bronx, NY. 
 
A very special Aunt Mrs. Dorothy Williams of Brooklyn, NY who is 103 years old. Eight Grand-children Tyrece R. Pelzer, Jermel Jones, Shadaneysa Pelzer,Taeli N. Smith, Aaliyah Pelzer, Caesar Walker, Jennifer Glover, and Michael Acosta and one great-grand Cameron Glover. Frances Brown Pelzer; two daughters Willa Dean Pelzer (Tony M.) Smith of Bronx, NY, Jeremiah Pelzer (Georgia Walker) of Washington D.C., Bridgette Pelzer of Washington DC.
 
One surviving sister Dora Mae (Rev. William) Ellis; One surviving Brother Mr. Lee Cooper (Alfreda) Pelzer, Two Special bonus sisters Georgia Mae (Joseph W.) Smalls of Bowman, SC; Susie Sanders and bonus Nephew Howard Sanders; A very special sister-in-law Delaine Stephens of St. George, SC and sister-in-law Dorothy Stephens of Florida.
 
Six Brother-in-laws William Washington Jr. of District Heights, MD; Hogar (Raquel) Stephens of Atlanta, GA; Richard (Patricia) Stephens of St George, SC, Charles (Liecia) Stephens of Atlanta GA, Ricky Stephens, and Kent Stephens both of Bronx, NY. 
 
A very special Aunt Mrs. Dorothy Williams of Brooklyn, NY who is 103 years old. Eight Grand-children Tyrece R. Pelzer, Jermel Jones, Shadaneysa Pelzer,Taeli N. Smith, Aaliyah Pelzer, Caesar Walker, Jennifer Glover, and
Michael Acosta and one great-grand Cameron Glover.