Willie Williams, Jr.

Willie Lawrence Williams, Jr., also known as "Smokey", was born on January 27, 1947, in Pineville, Louisiana to his parents Willie L. Williams Jr. and Lou Ellen Swain he was the fourth child of five children raised in Louisiana. As a child, Willie loved to read anything he could get his hands on and he believed education was extremely important. He often told people, "Anything you want to know can be found in books, reading is fundamental.” He also loved to ride his bike, which he rode until he was well over 60 years old. He would often be seen riding around the Five Points in Denver. As a child, he enjoyed playing in the sugarcane and cotton fields with his siblings. He climbed trees and would throw the fruit down to his siblings. He spent hours pushing his sister Saundra on go-carts. As Willie got older, he also enjoyed playing tennis with Maxine, and he was actually pretty good at it but never pursued a future in it as an adult. As an adult, Willie still had a love for reading, shooting pool and gambling. During his free time, he enjoyed watching comedies, western, and listening to old music, especially jazz. After Willie's parents moved he and his siblings to Denver, Colorado, he attended the Denver Public School District graduating from Manual High School. Willie went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the Metropolitan State College on the Auraria Campus also in Denver. At the age of 18, Willie followed in his father's footsteps and joined the military enlisting in the US Army for 3 years as a Parachute Rigger. While serving his contract, he traveled overseas and fought in the Vietnam War earning a National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal, a Vietnam Campaign Medal, and a Parachute Badge Airborne. After proudly serving his country, Willie completed his obligation on his contract as a Private First Class and was honorably discharged. When Willie returned to Denver, Colorado in 1968, although he was never married, he was the proud father of two daughters born in Denver, Colorado. His oldest daughter, Ronette was conceived during his loving relationship with Linda Gail Curtis in 1970. Sadly, Linda Gail passed away suddenly in 1971, leaving Willie heartbroken. After mourning the death of Linda Gail, Willie later became involved with Selma Harlan and they conceived Shanika in 1980 after several loving years together Willie and Selma parted ways. Over the years, they continued to co-parent Shanika and remained friends till his death. Willie was a dedicated employee and dispatcher at Metro Taxi in Denver, Colorado. Upon his departure from Metro Taxi, he performed many jobs including cleaning up at Cervantes and other local businesses around the Five Points area. Willie became very ill in 2015 at which time he spent quite a bit of time in the hospital and after being released couldn't ride his bike anymore and didn't get around as he did before. Willie never let his illness hinder him and took each day as it came, which is why he went and took the test for a new driver's license this past March. Willie was a humble man with a magnetic personality and a winning smile. He was non-confrontational and always provided positive encouragement to others. He loved his family, his best friends were his siblings, his cousin, Ronnie Reed and longtime friends, Booker and Sam. Due to is kind heart, he was a father to many nieces and nephews, Edgar, Deidra, Sheri, Sonny, Sylvian, Sibyl, and Bridget. Willie is preceded in death by his parents, Willie L. Williams, Jr., and Lou Ellen Swain; his brother, LeRoy Williams; his sister, Saundra Smack. Sadly Willie passed away and home in Denver, Colorado on October 6, 2018, where he was discovered by his oldest daughter he leaves to cherish his loving memory his daughters, Ronette Pye-Morris (Patrick), Shanika Williams (Jackson); his sisters, Maxine Williams-Bell, Barbara Ann Price; and five grandchildren, Elicia Tillis, Vernell Bourne, Jaylah Stephen, Jamani Stephen, and Jackson Stephen, Jr.; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell - 6601 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO
Visitation: 10/17/2018 at 9:00 AM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 10/17/2018 at 10:00 AM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 10/17/2018 at 1:15:00 PM - Ft. Logan National Cemetery - 4400 W. Kenyon Ave., Denver, CO