Willie James Ervin, J r., affectionately known as Sam, was born April 27, 1963, to the late Willie James, Sr., and Evelyn Ervin. Sam attended Hudson Elementary School and was a 1981 graduate of G.W. Carver High School. He was a standout basketball player all four years and played on the freshman football team. After graduating high school, he received a basketball scholarship to Walker State Jr. College, where he played for two years. After a stellar career at Walker State, he was awarded a Division 1 basketball scholarship to Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Sam started his first year, and the team advanced to the NCAA tournament. After leaving Marshall due to an injury, he returned to Birmingham. Sam gave his life to Christ at an early age while attending Greater New Antioch Baptist Church. He re dedicated his life to the Lord at a later stage. Sam departed this life on September 19, 2020, at BMC Princeton Hospital.

He leaves to cherish: two sisters, Sharon Ervin of Birmingham, Alabama, and Rosalind (Jonath) Nicholas of Westbury, New York; three brothers, Frederick (Wanda) Ervin of Birmingham, Alabama, Zachary (Yvonne) Ervin of Villa Rica, Georgia, and Derrick (Shemelia) Ervin of Birmingham, Alabama; a devoted friend, Betty Thomas of Birmingham, Alabama; two aunts, Josephine Merritt of Buena Park, California, and Shirley Simpson of Tampa, Florida; four uncles, Robert Simpson of Houston, Texas, and Lonnie, Roy, and Artamus Simpson, all of Birmingham, Alabama; four nieces and ten nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends. Graveside service will Saturday, September 26, 2020 12:00 PM at Valhalla Cemetery.