Tony William Jr.

Tony William, Jr., also known as “Tony da Tiger”, passed away peacefully the morning of Tuesday, August 11, 2026, surrounded by his immediate family. Tony was born June 6, 1985 at Milford Memorial Hospital, to Norisa and Lawrence Jacobs. He gave his life to the Lord at a young age, and was always intrigued by music. At the age of six, he started playing the guitar and at the age of eight, his hands were anointed by the late Bishop Jerry Phillips, to play the keyboard. Tony would play the keyboard for Praise and Worship services. He loved every bit of it. Tony graduated with the class of 2004 from Sussex Technical High School in Georgetown, Delaware; where he majored in Computer and Electronics. He had a special gift for tearing things apart and putting them back together. Tony began dating the love of his life in 2005, and they were married in 2008. They shared a special bond in worship ministry, becoming the perfect duo as his wife led the praise team and he played keyboard. Their duo soon became a trio; after their son, Tony,III started playing the drums. Together they led Sunday morning Praise and Worship, until Tony’s medical diagnosis. Tony was not only anointed to play musical instruments, but he was also a mouthpiece for God. He would often walk in a circle, and while many may have thought he was talking to himself, he would pause to tell them, “I’m just praying and talking to God.” When he opened his mouth to speak what the Lord shared, it was always prophetic. He was small in stature, but mighty in Christ. He walked, talked and lived by faith. Tony loved his community. When he started his journey with Preston Mazda, a lot of people counted him out because he stuttered, but he professed to his wife that he was going to prove everyone wrong. With hard work and dedication, he became the top salesman for the company. He loved his career choice, and making customers happy was his first priority on the job. No matter the time or day of the week, he responded to everyone’s call or text. He treated each person he met with the same heartfelt courtesy. You felt special; seen and heard while in his presence. His sales achievements were acknowledged in 2017 when he won the Personal Growth Award. In 2024, while battling ALS, he received an award for most sales, and in 2025, he earned the Dave Wilson, Sr. Chairman’s Award. Tony sponsored his son’s football team, The Gators. He also sponsored the Sussex Elite Legends, Sussex Central High School basketball team and RJ Martial Arts. He enjoyed community support initiatives, ensuring children received back to school supplies. Tony was a shining light to all who came in contact with him. His smile, laughter and jokes will be greatly missed. Tony was preceded in death by his great-grandmother, Margie ‘Mom-Mom’ Williams, his father, Lawrence Jacobs and the late Apostle Donald C. Johnson. Tony leaves to cherish his memories; his beautiful wife, Shanta Williams of Seaford, Delaware; four children, Shanya, Tony, III, Aubrea and Gia William; his mother, Norisa Long (Charles); one sister, Tia Taylor (Talon) of Lincoln, Delaware; three aunts, Nancy Duffy (Johnathan) of Rehoboth, Delaware, Della Jacobs and Shirley Jacobs, both of Seaford, Delaware; two uncles, George Lofland (Darlen) of Milton, Delaware and Charles Lofland (Dian) of Seaford, Delaware; two god-children, Nayelah Henry of Smyrna, Delaware and Brionna Henry of Greenwood, Delaware; his favorite cousin, Charles ‘Bo’ Lofland of Seaford, Delaware; his special friends at Preston, Selbe Hubbard, Jr., Andrew Risher and Jaquan Newcomb, all of Cambridge, Maryland; and a host of niece s , nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Tony William Jr.

June 6, 1985 - August 11, 2026