Alex Williams Memorial Fund
Donation protected
On Jan 5th, 2017, a flurry of calls went out to inform friends and family that Alex Williams had suffered a heart attack; his second in as many months. Sadly, this time he could not be revived. All of us who knew and loved Alex are still in shock.
I've known Alex nearly my entire life. He was bigger than life. When he moved to town, we quickly became friends and he quickly assumed the role of my big brother. And not just with me, but the whole neighborhood. That's just how big his wingspan was. And though he carried a reputation as being a tough guy, that's how big his heart was too.
My father passed when I was 7 years old. So for years, I was a bit of an emotional mess. There were a few anchors that I could rely on in that fragile stage. Alex was one of them. He taught me to dance... Or at least he tried! He taught me to stand up for myself. He taught me about music, which was one of his true passions. He taught me that friendship knows no boundaries like age, race, or religion.
We are each of us a structure built of bricks donated through love. For many in our neighborhood, Alex was a cornerstone of that structure. For some of us, he was a foundation. For no one is that more true than for his 10 year old boy, seen standing tall next to Alex. When Alex found out that he was having a son, his life changed forever. We had all remarked at how we have never seen a greater sense of purpose shine through him. The boy who acted the protector all his life had finally found out why: he was training for the day little Al came into this world.
As hard as this is for me to write, having just lost my brother, I can only imagine what his mother is going through. His mother, Dehavilland (Dee-Dee) was almost as much of a mother to us as our own flesh and blood. Lord knows we didn't make it easy on her; what with corralling 5-10 rowdy boys day in and day out. But Williamses are strong! She did more than rein us in. She showed us love. And she was loved in return.
As for little Al, all I can say is that I have been there. And while your life carries on, the void created by the loss of your father is never filled.
To make things even more difficult, Alex didn't have insurance. And his family's budget will be severely strained without him to help provide for little Al's future, let alone cover the costs of his funeral. It is our hope to raise money to not only defray costs of Alex's burial, but to set up a trust to help, in whatever way we can, with little Al's future.
If all you have to give is your love and prayers, please be assured that they are sincerely appreciated. If you can give monetarily, know that you will be supporting the Williams family now and far into the future. You can give online through this website. Or if you'd prefer to send money directly to the family, you can make a check or money order out to Dehavilland Williams and mail it to:
Dehavilland Williams
c/o Lincoln Carpenter
306 E Fort Ave
Baltimore, MD 21230
If you would like to pay your respects, the details of the viewing and service can be found below.
House of Law Funeral Home
9406 Frankstown Rd.
Penn Hills, PA 15235
Services will be on Tuesday, 1/10/17
11am-12pm viewing
12-1:00pm service
After the service, everyone is invited to join us for a friends luncheon at Dad's Pub & Grub.
Luncheon fr/ 1:30pm-?
Dad's Pub and Grub
4320 Northern Pike
Monroeville, PA 15146
Alex's role as father and protector can live on through your love and donation.
I've known Alex nearly my entire life. He was bigger than life. When he moved to town, we quickly became friends and he quickly assumed the role of my big brother. And not just with me, but the whole neighborhood. That's just how big his wingspan was. And though he carried a reputation as being a tough guy, that's how big his heart was too.
My father passed when I was 7 years old. So for years, I was a bit of an emotional mess. There were a few anchors that I could rely on in that fragile stage. Alex was one of them. He taught me to dance... Or at least he tried! He taught me to stand up for myself. He taught me about music, which was one of his true passions. He taught me that friendship knows no boundaries like age, race, or religion.
We are each of us a structure built of bricks donated through love. For many in our neighborhood, Alex was a cornerstone of that structure. For some of us, he was a foundation. For no one is that more true than for his 10 year old boy, seen standing tall next to Alex. When Alex found out that he was having a son, his life changed forever. We had all remarked at how we have never seen a greater sense of purpose shine through him. The boy who acted the protector all his life had finally found out why: he was training for the day little Al came into this world.
As hard as this is for me to write, having just lost my brother, I can only imagine what his mother is going through. His mother, Dehavilland (Dee-Dee) was almost as much of a mother to us as our own flesh and blood. Lord knows we didn't make it easy on her; what with corralling 5-10 rowdy boys day in and day out. But Williamses are strong! She did more than rein us in. She showed us love. And she was loved in return.
As for little Al, all I can say is that I have been there. And while your life carries on, the void created by the loss of your father is never filled.
To make things even more difficult, Alex didn't have insurance. And his family's budget will be severely strained without him to help provide for little Al's future, let alone cover the costs of his funeral. It is our hope to raise money to not only defray costs of Alex's burial, but to set up a trust to help, in whatever way we can, with little Al's future.
If all you have to give is your love and prayers, please be assured that they are sincerely appreciated. If you can give monetarily, know that you will be supporting the Williams family now and far into the future. You can give online through this website. Or if you'd prefer to send money directly to the family, you can make a check or money order out to Dehavilland Williams and mail it to:
Dehavilland Williams
c/o Lincoln Carpenter
306 E Fort Ave
Baltimore, MD 21230
If you would like to pay your respects, the details of the viewing and service can be found below.
House of Law Funeral Home
9406 Frankstown Rd.
Penn Hills, PA 15235
Services will be on Tuesday, 1/10/17
11am-12pm viewing
12-1:00pm service
After the service, everyone is invited to join us for a friends luncheon at Dad's Pub & Grub.
Luncheon fr/ 1:30pm-?
Dad's Pub and Grub
4320 Northern Pike
Monroeville, PA 15146
Alex's role as father and protector can live on through your love and donation.
Organizer and beneficiary
Lincoln Carpenter
Organizer
Baltimore, MD
Dehavilland Williams
Beneficiary