Willie Blue Finley was born on Nov. 10, 1932, in Eutawville, S.C., to the late James McKinley Finley and Catherine Mitchem. He was a longtime resident of New York, where he trained and owned race horses on the circuit. He died on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, at his residence.

Willie leaves behind three children, Wardell Finley, of Woodstock, Ga., Warren Finley, of Westbury, N.Y., and Shannon Finley, of New Jersey; siblings Isabella F. Hicks and Hope Mills, both of North Carolina, and Rosa Willie, Eliza Finley and Leon Finley, all of Suffolk; aunt Carrie Mitchem; and a host of grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and nieces and nephews.

A visitation will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. A funeral will take place at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, at the funeral home chapel.

Expressions of sympathy and flowers may be extended at www.cookeovertonfuneralhome.com. Professional funeral services are entrusted to T.E. Cooke-Overton Funeral Home Inc.