Wilford Nathaniel Seward

Wilford Nathaniel Seward age 77 of Chandler, Arizona, formerly of Urbana, Illinois died on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 9:35 AM at home in Chandler. He was born to Warner Nathaniel Seward and Lovie Dee Elam-Seward in Humboldt, Tennessee on February 13, 1934. Dad had five siblings; George Washington “Chicken George” Seward, Gladys Marie Holder, Callie Jo Seward, Berdie Dee Seward, and Christine Griggs. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, George and sisters, Callie Jo and Berdie Dee.

As a child until age 21, he attended and was a faithful member of William Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Humboldt, Tennessee until he moved to Champaign, Illinois in 1952. He then joined Freewill Missionary Baptist Church, Urbana, Illinois. Dad’s faithfulness towards God continued in his service as a Deacon and Male Chorus member at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, Champaign, Illinois for over 20 years. He was the Founder of the Second Saturday Night Male Chorus Sing comprised of seven local churches within the Champaign-Urbana, and Rantoul areas. Upon relocating to Chandler, Arizona three years ago, Dad became a member of Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, in Mesa, Arizona. In 1954, dad became employed at General Motors as a Relief Man in Danville Illinois. He retired from General Motors in 1984.

On November 27, 1964, dad married the love of his life, Shirley Mae Peat. To their forty-seven (47) year union, four children were born; Pamela Renee Seward White (Andre), Charlotte, North Carolina; Wilford Nathaniel Seward Jr. (Elnore), Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Kimberly Joyce Seward-Burton (Steffond), Urbana, Illinois; and Tammy Sharise Seward-Newton (Aundra), Champaign, Illinois. Other children also left to mourn are Willie Nathaniel Seward, Rock Island, Illinois, Barbara Johnson (Houston), Champaign, Illinois; Dwayne Peoples, Sacramento, California; James Earl Peat (Valinda), Champaign, Illinois; Marion Todd Peat (Jana), Chandler, Arizona; Jovita King, Tustin, California; Anira Peat-Seward, Urbana, Illinois; Shyla Peat-Seward, Champaign, Illinois; David Johnson-Seward, Urbana, Illinois; Montrell Peat-Seward (Jasmine), Fort Benning, Georgia; Darnell Johnson-Seward, Urbana, Illinois; Katoria, Taija, and Tetreanna Seward, all of Chandler, Arizona and six God-Sons, Peter Hassell (Eliza), Tempe, Arizona; Bryon Smith (Jill), Los Angeles, California; Lyndell Clemons (Stephanie), Champaign, Illinois; James “Bubba” Clemons, (Kimberly), Indianapolis, Indiana; Anthony Clemons (Bonnie), Indianapolis, Indiana; Michael Clemons, Indianapolis, Indiana; and Shoundell Clemons (Rachel), Decatur, Illinois.

Dad cherished, loved, spent time, and left a legacy of family with his twenty-five (25) grandchildren and fifteen (15) God-Children. He also cherished and loved his ten (10) great-grandchildren. His love continues with his Aunt, Annie Mae Lockett, Cousin, Emmitt D. Elam, and a host of nephews, nieces, family, and friends.

Dad’s passion for youth and sports led to a thirty (30) year coaching stint in the Little League and Sandy Kaufax Baseball Leagues. He also coached the Untouchables and several Champaign County YMCA Basketball teams. He also was the Assistant Coach for the Franklin Middle School 8th grade football team in 1983. Dad’s hobbies included hunting, fishing, gardening, and barbequing the “Seward’s Famous BBQ”.