Anthony "Tony" Lee Iiams

Tony Iiams, 24, left us to dance in Heaven on December 26, 2022, after a courageous battle with an unexpected illness. He passed surrounded by family and friends, of which he had many.

Tony was born on March 23, 1998, immediately lighting the world with a beautiful, contagious smile. His natural gifts of joy and athleticism quickly drew Tony to a lifelong passion for dance—an art in which he excelled throughout high school, college, and his career. Tony’s exceptional talent gained the attention of SeaWorld and Walt Disney World, where he was cast as the most perfect Peter Pan EVER—convincing an uncountable number of young people to “never grow up”!

Tony was a national champion with the University of Missouri-Kansas City Dance Team and shared his love of the art by coaching at North Kansas City High School—and by gently, skillfully teaching at numerous dance studios throughout the Kansas City area. He was an employee of the Universal Dance Association for many years.

Tony was preceded in death by grandparents William D. Iiams, Daniel Stansbury, and Eric Post. He is survived by parents Bill Iiams and Cindy & Kevin Puett; partner Lucas Feliciano; siblings Brooke Iiams, Billy Iiams (Brittney), and Kevin Lee Puett II; grandmother Brenda Yates Stansbury-McCurdy (Michael), grandfather Anthony Pike (Brenda) and grandmother Patty Post.

Please join us in celebrating Tony’s beautiful life on Monday, January 2. Visitation and service are at 10 a.m. at Hope Church, 4800 NW 88th St., Kansas City, MO 64154, with burial to follow at Newcomer’s White Chapel Cemetery, 6600 NE Antioch Rd., Gladstone, MO 64119.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Tony’s love of teaching dance with donations to Dizzy Feet Foundation: http://www.kennedy-center.org

Tony’s family thanks the tireless caregivers at North Kansas City Hospital and the University of Kansas Medical Center.

For all who knew and loved Tony: “And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance … I hope you dance! I hope you dance!”