William Coolidge Tanner

William Coolidge Tanner was born on December 3, 1924, in New Orleans, Louisiana, as the only son of Marie Tucker Tanner and Francis Ard Tanner, who both preceded him in death. William’s parents raised him with strong Christian values he remembered and exemplified each day of his life. As a teenager, in June 1943, William was drafted into World War II and served our country with honor, courage and distinction in the United States Army until his honorable discharge in December 1945. His educational journey started in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he received a high school diploma from McDonogh #35, and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Xavier University; then to Tuskegee, Alabama, where he received a master’s degree in mathematics from Tuskegee Institute; and on to New Haven, Connecticut, where he was trained at Yale University for educational reform through the Comer School Development Program, as well as other cities where he expanded his intellectual knowledge and abilities in the educational arena. In April,1991, William joined the New Orleans Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi and began his dedication to the fraternity’s brotherhood as a dedicated lifetime member. One of his greatest joys was serving as chairperson of the fraternity’s scholarship committee, which he served with a high level of commitment to help young men with their quest for college.

Professionally, William was a dedicated mathematics educator, a conscientious federal and state tax preparer, a real estate agent and later a real estate broker. He enlightened the mathematical mind of numerous students at Booker T. Washington High School for many years. He also served as a full-time mathematics instructor at Southern University New Orleans and Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, where he made an unforgettable impact. As a retired educator, Mr. Tanner returned to the educational arena to support school principals in their effort to enhance school operations. This was accomplished in partnership with other retired school leaders.

In 1959 William married -the then- Catherine Smith (who preceded him in death). From this union came two children. First a girl whom they named Toni and later a boy whom they named Glenn. William and Catherine raised their two children in the historic middle class African American community Pontchartrain Park. Pontchartrain Park supported Christian values and provided an environment of family, unity and community. William was a dedicated family man and embraced an extended family concept with his closest friends Wilbert (Flip) Huey, Newman Braud, and Gilbert White, who all preceded him in death. In December 2024, family, Kappa brothers, and friends celebrated William’s 100th birthday as he became a Centenarian.

On Friday, May 23, 2025, after 100 years on earth, William journeyed from this life to God’s home calling. As patriarch of the Tucker family of Greensburg and New Orleans,

Louisiana, He leaves a legacy of love with family members who respected, honored, loved and cherished him. His legacy will carry on through his daughter Toni Tanner Castillo, son Glenn Francis Tanner (Tammie Tanner), Grandson Derek Tanner, Granddaughters Alana Marie Castillo and Gabriella Castillo, Great-Grandson Jamar William Tanner, Great-Granddaughter Aria Catherine Landry, dedicated niece Lynnette Braud, dedicated son-in-law Alex Castillo, devoted neighbor Kim Davidson, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, adopted family and great friends. Family and friends are invited to attend funeral services held for William on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at St. Martin de Porres, 5621 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA. Visitation at church will begin at 9:00AM until the Mass begins at 11:00AM. Interment will follow in Lake Lawn Park.