William was married to his wife, Beatrice, for 57 years. He is survived by his dearly loved wife, his children Erica (Eric) and Marc (Jeaneen), eight grandchildren, one brother James (Yvonne), two sisters Sharlene (Herbert) and Gloria (Tony) and a host of family and friends. He also loved fishing, cars, football, gardening and nature.
William attended public schools in the District of Columbia. In junior high school, he found his gift and calling to the field of architecture. In high school, he was selected for the Inter-High and All-Metro football teams. His love of architecture brought him to attend Howard University where he continued to play collegiate level football and graduate with a degree in architecture.
While in college, he received the High Scorer Rifleman trophy at an ROTC summer camp that he was very proud to have earned. He said he gained the skill as a boy with his brother shooting bugs on the wall at night in their basement with a BB gun their Dad had given them. When their Dad found out, he scolded them.
William worked with many architectural firms in the D.C. area, but the program he was most passionate about was the Job Corps program. He worked with firms that managed construction of federal Job Corps training centers all over the United States, Puerto Rico and Hawaii. The centers were for disadvantaged teens giving them opportunities to learn job skills to turn their lives around. Whenever the Job Corps contract would change hands, he went with the contract to whomever it was granted. He received many accolades for the quality of work he contributed.
At a recent reunion of colleagues, many of them paid tribute to him for the tutoring and guidance he gave them at the beginning of their careers. He gave freely of his talents to coworkers, friends, neighbors and anyone who sought his advice. He had an open heart and was a giver.
He served as Soccer Commissioner for the Boys & Girls Club in Kettering, MD. He wanted the kids to have fun. In his senior years, many of them would greet him in malls or on the street. He loved to see children develop and achieve their highest goals. He had a teacher’s heart.
William was a member at Central Seventh Day Baptist Church where he was baptized. He taught middle school kids in Sabbath School at Central.
William was Mr. Fixit. His motto was if man made it, he could fix it. He was a handyman around the house and with vehicles. He would tackle any project.
The saying “Once an architect, always an architect,” was so true of him. When he entered a building, he was the only one looking up at the ceiling and surveying the room. He’d ask if you knew what things were that he observed or why they were there. He was a detail-oriented person who always wanted things in perfect order.
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