Aville James

Avill (Aville) James, affectionately known as “Ville” to many who loved him, entered the world on February 4, 1934. Born on the Caribbean island of Antigua, he grew up surrounded by a tropical landscape that inspired his lifelong passion for art and beauty, resulting in countless paintings and enriching experiences.

Avill and his one-and-only sister, Flora, were raised by their mother, Mary Elizabeth James, while their father, Allan James, migrated to Curaçao. Raised in a Seventh-day Adventist household, they developed a strong faith, further strengthened by their participation in church youth activities. As siblings, they cultivated a close relationship that endured throughout the decades.

In school, Avill was a devoted pupil who received a certificate for perfect attendance. He became a precocious art student while developing his love for drawing and painting under the tutelage of his Uncle Roland. Teachers used Avill’s artwork as the standard for other students, and he was chosen to paint a mural of Jesus in the sanctuary of the Bethel Seventh-day Adventist Church in the village of Liberta. When a fire destroyed the church years later, Avill’s painting survived the flames.

As a young man, Avill honed his skills as a tailor while working in the tailor shop of one of his uncles. The venture prospered, making him one of the first people in the community to own a car. He generously used the vehicle to transport villagers, including those who needed urgent medical care at the hospital.

In the early 1960s, Avill migrated to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. There, he worked as a waiter in the hospitality industry and met the beautiful Sylvia Walwyn, a native of Nevis, WI. A few years later, he immigrated to Brooklyn, New York, where he and Sylvia married and raised four daughters in East Flatbush. The couple became members of the Hanson Place Seventh-day Adventist Church, where they provided their children with a Christian education.

In New York, Avill worked as a hospital orderly and then an ambulance attendant while pursuing a nursing degree at Kingsborough Community College. He eventually became a registered nurse and worked at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center and New York Community Hospital. He also pursued business opportunities. When Avill’s sister, Flora, moved to South Florida in the 1970s, the family began acquiring rental properties, which led to a successful real estate enterprise. Over the years, they have been generous to family, friends, and church ministries – sharing God’s blessings.

In 1996, Avill retired from his nursing career. Eventually, he and his wife settled in South Florida, where they became members of the Lighthouse Seventh-day Adventist Church. True to his calling, Avill continued painting acrylic landscapes, some of which now adorn the walls of his home and the dwellings of many of his loved ones. He also spent his days tending to the colorful foliage surrounding his home, meticulously pruning and shaping the shrubs and plants, always aiming for perfection. He also loved playing the piano, watching movies, and spending time with his family.

On Sabbath, June 6, 2026, Avill took his last breath, passing away peacefully at his home after five months in hospice care. At age 92, he died as the patriarch on both sides of his family, a testament to God’s grace and mercy.

Avill was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Elizabeth James, and his father, Allan James. He is survived by his wife, Sylvia James; his daughters, Denise James, Jacqueline Walwyn, Alva (Kempthorne) Johnson, and Lisa James; his grandchildren, Alexis Johnson, Malcolm Wansley, and Shelbe Johnson; his sister, Flora James; his nephew, Lloyd (Dawn) James; his niece, Natasha Baptiste; his grand-nieces, Lloni Soogrim and Ashli James; his grand-nephews, Andre James and Jordan Baptiste, and a host of in-laws, other relatives, friends, and loved ones.

Visitation will be held at Lighthouse Seventh-day Adventist Church, 441 SW 27th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, US, on June 21, 2026, from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, followed by the Funeral Service , from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Committal Service will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, 2401 Davie Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33317, US, on June 21, 2026, at 1:30 PM.

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