Billy Earl Williams

Billy left this world on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at his home in New Orleans, Louisiana at the age of 71 (seventy-one). At a very early age Billy showed an interest in science and nature. He was fascinated by the way things worked and was always trying to explore the possibilities of “what if”. As a teenager, you could find him practicing as an entomologist. He operated on insects and even prepared an animal skeleton for his school project (which remained in a glass case for years after his graduation). When he gave presents to children, you could rest assured that one of the gifts would relate to science such as doctor kits, human anatomy diagrams and other medical toys. One could also say that Billy was a logophile. He found excitement in adding words to his vocabulary and challenging anyone who would listen. Billy was competitive and you could always find him competing with his friends in word games, chess and most anything that required competition. He was astute and his intellectual ability and skills were very sharp. Billy was quick witted with a sharp sense of humor that was so uniquely his own. He was thrilled at the prospect of convincing you to play a game of chess so that he could laugh at outwitting you. Billy was an esteemed alumnus of Brighton High School where he was elected to serve as the Business Manager of his class. After graduating from Brighton High School, he studied at Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Alabama. Around 1980 he moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. He continued his education at the University of New Orleans/Charity Hospital and received a Bachelor of Science degree. As expected, he rediscovered his earlier passion and excitement and became a medical logophile. His first job was working as a registered nurse at Charity Hospital, kickstarting several years in the health care industry. He worked several health-related jobs to continue his goal of pursuing a degree in anesthesiology. As life would have it, Billy retired early. He spent some of his time attending services in St. Maria Goretti Church, playing chess, listening to and recording music. You could often find him in the library listening to an array of genres. He often shared his music with family and friends. He leaves to mourn his memory his loving companion and dear friend Diane Sanders; his daughter Denera Marshall; grandchildren Ulysses, Jamichael, Omarion and Kayla; sisters and brothers Alean Williams-Coleman, Shirley Williams-Jones (Willis), Alfred Williams (Tresa), Frederick Graham; nieces and nephews Andre’ Demond Coleman, Martin Allen Coleman, Ashleigh Jones-Howard (Brenton); grandnieces, grandnephews and numerous cousins, other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Inez and Allen Williams; his brother Franklin C. Williams; and his nephew Yuri C. Coleman; his grandparents Beatrice and Ben Hall and Minnie and Stafford Williams (Pops); and his brother-in law Willie Carl Coleman.