Commemorating the Life and Legacy of Willie Brown Daniels,
The Highwaymen Heritage Trail
Willie Daniels 1951 - September 19, 2021
Image by AJ Brown private collection, summer of 2017
"The History Maker!" Willie Browne Daniels is a core legend of the Florida Highwaymen Original Artists. His story began as a boy in the 1960s when he began to paint in Fort Pierce, Florida. His method of learning was watching his good friends, Roy McLendon Sr., Livingston "Castro" Roberts, and Harold and Sam Newton, were most influential. His younger brother, Johnny Lee Daniels, learned to paint in his early teens by watching his older brother and "Castro." by the Museum of Florida's History and the World! In 2004, Willie Daniels was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in Tallahassee, Florida.
Born January 8, 1951, in Bainbridge, Georgia, Willie's family moved to Fort Pierce, Florida, while he was in third grade. In a family of six, Willie's mother, Ms. Juanita Daniels, passed away early in life. Ms. Curley Daniels, his oldest sister, took on the loving role and raised the family.
"Willie says," "his father was from the "Bahamian Islands" and was known by his last name, Browne." Americans typically pronounce the name as Brownie.
In the summer of 2017, Daniels, a living legend, "says he was honored to celebrate fifty years as a Highwaymen Artist.
Since 2001, Willie has taught his niece Vivian Daniels to paint, but she is more of a historian for both her uncles. He then endorsed and mentored his latest discovery, 4th Generation, known as Salsa, at age ten in Fort Pierce. A collection of her paintings dating from 2009 bears his name and endorsement, archived by her grandmother, AJ Brown.
The 50-year veteran Willie Daniels has a 2nd Generation! Hall of Fame Florida Original Highwaymen Artist Johnny "Hook" Daniels died May 26, 2009. Over the years, Willie continued to paint alongside his brother, Johnny's protege, AJ Brown, Florida Highwaymen Historic Artist, and their 2nd Generation heritage is known as God-family.
In 2008, Willie gifted AJ with a drawing of himself by his neighborhood friend, nicknamed Red, a keepsake and memory she cherishes.
Willie spends his days in Fort Pierce, living a simple life with his family and painting the nostalgic state of Florida he loves and remembers. "Willie Daniels is a heritage worth preserving!"
Few may claim this honor, Florida Original Highwaymen or 2nd Generation Highwaymen. The unique Florida Highwaymen painters
pressed on through a segregated era when all odds were against them. They made it! Willie's paintings now grace the nation's highest offices, governor's
mansions, state capitol buildings, and many historical museums throughout the United States of America and around the world.
A Special Tribute: The Iconic Legend Has Passed, Florida Highwaymen Artist Willie Daniels, An Elite History Maker Of The Group, Died Early Sunday Morning, September 19, 2021, At Age 71. You will truly be missed!
Willie Daniels, The Painter, The Mentor, The Legend, The Man, Is HONORED TO BE AMERICA'S HISTORY!
AJ Brown and Willie Daniels visits his brother Johnny, Willie and AJ grieves 6/8/2015
Willie Daniels has a legacy, Daniels and AJ Brown paints on her Fort Pierce back porch studio 5/21/2012
Willie Daniels, the painter, the mentor, the legend, the man, mentored AJ Brown Feb 2008
AJ Brown was mentored by the early 1950s Highwaymen, Willie and Johnny Daniels
Willie Daniels and AJ Brown prepares for their Jacksonville Florida art show 4/4/2013
AJ Brown, Willie Daniels and Roy McLendon Sr. Willie showcase his painting 6/22/2015
AJ Brown was mentored by early 1950s Hall of Fame Original Highwaymen Willie, Johnny Daniels
Willie Daniels, James Gibson, AJ Brown art exhibit in Jacksonville, Florida 10/3/2013
Military Family, Al Black, AJ Brown, Willie Daniels, and family in Fort Pierce, Florida 2009
Willie Daniels teaches AJ Brown St Lucie River subjects, expressions of light, summer of 2008