Willie was born just outside Chicago but has spent most of his life in Greeneville, TN. He graduated from ETSU with a degree in Finance with a concentration in Banking. He later obtained a graduate degree from LSU in Banking. He was employed in various banking positions for over 20 years, most recently as Senior Commercial Lender for a large community bank in the East Tennessee region.

Five years ago, he left the banking industry to focus on his various outside businesses. He and his business partner started a real estate investment company in 2008 to invest in Single-family homes. The pair have bought, rehabbed, and developed over 400 homes since that time.

He serves as a Founding Partner and Vice-President of Spectrum Management Group. He is also. a partner in several real estate partnerships whose investments include over 300 residential units. Multiple Dollar Generals, Family Dollars, Billboards, Strip Centers, Hotels, and Storage Units.