Darrell G. Williams

Darrell Gregory Williams

“Forever in Our Hearts”

Darrell Gregory Williams, the second son of the late Shirley M. and Thomas C. Williams, Sr, transitioned from this earthly life to his heavenly home on April 3, 2023. 

He was born at Margaret Hague Hospital in Jersey City, NJ on January 4, 1958.

Darrell acquired his education from the Jersey City Public Schools system.  He graduated from Whitney M. Young Elementary School (P.S. 15) in 1972.  He participated in several sports programs and graduated from Henry Snyder High School in June of 1976.  He was a proud trustee of the Henry Snyder High School Alumni Association.  Darrell moved on to New Jersey City University (formerly Jersey City State College) where he played fullback on the college’s football team.  While in elementary school, the school’s physical education teacher, Hosea Smith, nicknamed Darrell the “Big Dee” and the monicker stayed with him for the remaining years of his life.

During Dee’s tenure in high school and college, he worked in the community at Steve’s Liquors for several years.  In 1980, Darrell began working at Paine Webber on Wall Street in New York City.  Eventually, he moved from Wall Street to the Jersey City Board of Education where he worked on P. S. 15 and Snyder’s School Security Team.  Upon requests of many of the parents, Dee also took on mentoring young people while working in the schools. 

Darrell joined Redeemer Lutheran Church in 1990 and participated in the Men’s Ministry of the church. He also served on the church council.

Darrell met Traci Ann Mossey in 1998, and they were joined together in marriage on April 7, 2011.  Both having children from previous relationships, they formed a family of Darrell’s two sons, Gregory, and Jamal, along with Traci’s two daughters, Courtney and Tiffany to become a blended family.

Early in his life, Dee became known as the family protector and enforcer.  He questioned those young men who were seeking to date his sisters and chased away those he did not find suitable for long-term relationships.  He protected the family from hurt, harm and danger whenever possible.  He was a protector of children even though he had so much fun teasing them.  He was also part of the neighborhood group of young adults jokingly nicknamed “The Brotherhood”, as they protected the neighbors and homes of the Fulton Avenue East community.  He had a witty sense of humor, along with his well-known fast quips.  He will always be remembered for the ways he made people laugh.

In 1999, Darrell joined the King David Masonic Lodge #7, participating in the centuries-old brotherhood of men from different religious, ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds.

In 2011, Dee worked alongside Antoine Carrington in developing Antoine’s non-profit organization named “GodLife” for the youth in the community.  Helping to mentor boys and coach a youth basketball team, the two, along with other dedicated men, trained these young males to consider the positive things in life.  Darrell became a father figure to several of them.  Many went on to play basketball and football at the high school and collegiate levels, and one young man was drafted into the National Football League.  GodLife helped to develop them, in the true sense, from Boys to Men.

Dee loved sports.  He continued playing two-hand touch football in the New Jersey tavern leagues with the Jersey City Eagles. One of his favorite professional teams was the Boston Celtics.  His team of choice caused many sibling rivalry matches between his wiser big brother, a New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers fan when the Celtics squared off against either the Knicks or Lakers in a championship match.  The same rivalry holds true for those Yankees-Mets matchups.

One of Darrell’s favorite hobbies was cooking.  His favorite dessert was his sweet potato cheesecake recipe.  Darrell entered several cooking contests and participated in events such as “Men Can Cook,” and in some cases, walked away with the top prize.

Darrell leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Traci Ann Mossey-Williams, sons, Jamal Richardson and Gregory Williams (Tracy), stepdaughters, Courtney Mossey, and Tiffany Mossey (Michael), stepson Anthony Bess, and stepdaughter Danielle Fuller and step-granddaughters Ariyah Lamb, Akayla and Ava Fuller.

He also leaves behind his siblings Thomas C. Williams Jr. (Cathy) of Germantown, MD, Sharon M. Williams-Jackson (Robert) of Jersey City, Tyrone A. Williams of Atlanta, GA, Darlene Y. Williams-Woss (Rafael), Sandra M. Williams-Hagins (Cornelius), all of Jersey City, Eric G. Williams of New York (Theresa), Debra M. “Kirby” Williams-Edwards of Katy, TX and Angelique R. Williams of Jersey City; Brothers-in-law Derrick Aycox and Rodney Aycox of Jersey City.

Cherished uncle of Daniel Shaheed McCeary, Thomas “Chris” Williams, Wesley Williams (Whitney), Eric Jared Robinson (Brittany), Kevin Robinson and Natalia Robinson, Kayla Williams-Bess, Michael Edwards, II, Raven Jackson, Jason Williams and Tia Williams, C. Jordan Hagins (Janay), and Kyra Woss.  He also leaves his beloved cousin Carl Robertson, and friends Julius (Tony) Murray and Morris Murray.

Darrell is predeceased by his parents, Shirley M. and Thomas C. Williams Sr., his grandmother Amelia May, his sister, Antoinette D Williams McCeary (Ulysses), and two aunts Elizabeth Burton, and Geneva Robertson.

There are two African proverbs that read: “You will not live forever, so leave a legacy.”  Darrell’s legacy shall live on in those he touched.  As Darrell has now joined the ancestors, “Say not in grief he is no more, but live in thankfulness that he was.”

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Darrell G. Williams, please visit our floral store.