William Jamal Wilson

From an early age, Jamal displayed amazing talent and many disciplines. He participated in Little league sports, playing football, baseball, and basketball. Jamal ran track indoors and outdoors throughout elementary and middle school. Jamal competed for the chance to run in the national Hersheys track meet.

Jamal attended DPS schools and was always an outstanding student. He graduated from George Washington HS in May of 2010 at the top of his class and holding the student body position as senior class president. After graduation, Jamal attended Howard University.

While attending Howard, Jamal completed an internship with the Department of Education, participating in a summer reading program in Detroit for underprivileged youth. Jamal also studied abroad in the Western Cape of South Africa.

Jamal believed in giving back to his community, allowing him to participate in many activities, he never believed in idle time. He played the drums, participated in Brother to Brother step team. He was a member of Kappa youth leadership and mentorship program. Jamal also participated in the young lawyers of America and was named 2009 Jack and Jill Beau.

Jamal was an original member of the Cool kids hip-hop dance group, which he helped organize. This group would dance throughout the communities in Colorado. Jamal was also a part of Cleo Parker Robinson’s youth training group, where he received the Morning Star scholarship three years in a row for outstanding service through the world of arts. During this time, he performed in the production Granny Dances to a New Holiday Drum. His phenomenal dance skills lead him to participate in the Chicago ballet summer intensive in 2010 Jamal started training with Ngoma Center for dance in Washington DC. He signed his first professional contract with Dissonance dance company of Washington DC.

Jamal also performed with the Washington ballet performing in a seasonal classic, the Nutcracker.

On September 7th at 12:29pm at the age of 34, William Jamal was called from his earthly home to dance into eternity.

William was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert and Lizzie Wilson, Bessie Lee and Howard McGuffie, and his beloved aunt Trina D. Wilson. and uncle Willie McGuffie.

Jamal is survived by his parents James McGuffie and Tanjala Wilson, his sisters Tayona Bracey, and Alicia McGuffie, brother Christopher McGuffie and a host of family, friends, and Acquaintances.

Jamal will be missed by all who knew and loved him.