James Angelo Williams

James Angelo Williams, known in Delaware as Tony, the Carolinas as Angelo, and around the world as "Bro" was born at 4:30AM on the tenth of February, in the year of 1932. That crisp Wednesday his father, James Wesley Williams, a sharecropper, and his mother Henrietta Johnson Williams, a dry-cleaner, brought their only baby boy home to a loving family of three girls; Lula Lee, Ruby and Ann. James would live in Farmville until 1951, when he graduated from Farmville Colored High School, winning awards for being the best dressed, most popular. His extracurricular activities included: glee-club, basketball, trumpet and flirting with so many girls that he "had so many girlfriends he couldn't even invite them to the prom." Always one to come up with a quick fix, he took his sister Ruby to the event---that way he was able to "dance with everybody". After finishing high school James joined the military, ultimately enlisting in the Air Force, once the Army announced their draft for the Korean War. He was very proud of being a Vietnam Veteran. He went on to live a rich and diverse life, doing everything from painting airplanes in Alaska so that they could be spotted in the snow, to working in cargo processing in Vietnam and becoming terrified of leaving the country. He spent twenty two years, eight months and one day in the military, and would have done it all over again, without hesitation, if granted the opportunity. Spain was his favorite of the places he lived; he noted that "if you were black, you had it made in Spain". He also said that New Zealand was a place he would want to visit again and again, because it and its people were so easy-going and inviting. From fishing, hunting to cooking up a storm, Tony had a wide array of interests and aimed to make the most of his life. He could cheer up a crowd and make anyone feel at home. During his life he was grateful for his nine beautiful children; Ruby (Dover), Sharron (Columbus, Ohio), Michael Angelo(Dover), Mike(Greenville S.C.), Charles aka Tony Jr. (Killeen, Texas), Darrell (deceased), Shawn(deceased), Donna (Harrington) and Danielle (Dover). He is survived by his cherished wife, friend and counterpart, Gloria Johnson Williams (Dover). His ex-wife Ella Mae Williams (Dover). Two sisters Margie Holly (Chicago) and Vernell Land (New York). Eighteen grandchildren and eighteen great grand’s. Many nieces, nephews, cousins and an army of friends. Tony will be missed by all who were lucky enough to have known him and his memory will forever be cherished.

James Angelo Williams

February 10, 1932 - December 7, 2012