Uncle Willie's disabilities are entirely the result of a tragic accident he sustained when he was a small child. At the tender age of just three years old, he was dropped by a careless babysitter, and this has had a massive and devastating impact on his life ever since. Uncle Willie's left hand is withered, the left side of his face is paralyzed, and he has to walk with a cane. This is all because of a brief moment of carelessness.

Uncle Willie has developed mental toughness over the years in dealing with his disabilities. His toughness manifests itself in a number of different ways, most notably the disciplinarian manner in which he raises the children.

Far from being an object of pity, Uncle Willie is feared and respected by Marguerite and the others, and they do not want to get on the wrong side of him. If Marguerite and Bailey Jr. don't do their math homework, he threatens them with physical violence, and it is abundantly clear that this is no idle threat.

Uncle Willie's mental strength and fortitude also manifest themselves in his remarkable pride. The last thing he wants is to be an object of pity for everyone, which helps to explain why, on one occasion, he pretends that he isn't disabled when a couple of teachers drop by the store.