William Henry

William Henry III was born on January 25, 1984, to the late William Henry Jr. and Savannah Walton in Chicago, IL. He was the sixth child of four brothers and one sister.

William began his education at the Drexel Learning Center in Chicago, Illinois, where he formed lifelong friendships, he graduated from T. F. North H.S. with the class of 2001. William loved sports and he used to love to flip and perform acrobatics, which led him to become a member of the Jessie White Tumbling Team in the mid-nineties. 

William was known for his “BIG SMILE” kind heart, helpful and respectable attitude, and in that desire to help others he began classes with the Romeoville Fire Academy for which he obtained his certifications for Basic Operations Firefighter in September of 2012, his last place of employment was Weathertech in Romeoville, IL. 

In late January of 2019 William suffered a stroke for which he had to also have brain surgery to relieve the pressure, due to this and other factors he never regained the ability to use his left arm and leg. During this ordeal while he was in the hospital, “William said he saw a man in his room that kept trying to take him and he kept asking his brother Harry if he saw the man to which Harry kept saying no, he didn’t see the man, he said God kept blocking the man from getting to him and he realized that God was holding death back from taking him. William repented right there in his hospital bed, and he asked GOD to forgive him for his SINS, and he became a new creature in Christ. He worshipped with the Church of God in Joliet, IL under the pastorate of Elder Eddie Hodges Jr. William married Claudia on September 12, 2020, whom he had been with for 3 years, prior to his illness, she remained steadfast by his side until the very end.

If you asked Will what he felt was his greatest accomplishments he would tell you it was being a dad, he was a proud father of four beautiful daughters, whom he loved dearly and would do anything for them that was within his power. His radiant smile, warm laughter, and sincere affection for others will live on in everyone’s memories. God blessed William with an additional 7 years of life until he succumbed to the after affects of the stroke on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. He died in the Lord saved and made it home to be with his father.

William’s father, William Henry Jr, and older brother Andre Wright preceded him in death. William Henry leaves to cherish his loving and devoted wife Claudia Henry of 5 years, four daughters, Jaylin Shaw, Maleah Desiree Henry, Aniya Monae Henry and Khalessi Jadae Henry, son Isiah Lamar Smart (son in love) Marshawn Washington, his mom Savannah Walton, one sister Trina (Curtis) Jamison, three brothers, Harry, Keith, Owalla, one Aunt Alma Wright and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and devoted friends.

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