Raphael Williams, Sr.

Raphael Williams was born on April 27, 1950. His baptismal ceremony was performed at Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, IL at a young age. He graduated from Wendell Phillips High School, then continued on to Illinois State University. Raphael served in the United States Coast Guard Reserves from 1972 until 1977. He retired from Kansas City Area Metro Transportation Authority in 2014 where he was a member of the Local 1287 Union.  After finding the retirement lifestyle not suitable to his liking, he decided to drive again part time with Share a Fare (Ride KC).  During his tenure at both places of employment, a host of friends were made. Raphael was an avid reader of science fiction, comics and eastern philosophies. He collected comic book and theatrical memorabilia as a hobby and trained for several years in the martial arts. Raphael was preceded in death by his mother Willie Mae (Cannady) Williams and Hugh Williams. Due to hardship, he was raised by his paternal aunt and uncle, Letha (Williams) Curtis and Walter Curtis. Additionally, Raphael had two sisters who passed before him; Brenetta (Williams) Bates and Patricia Ann Williams, as well as a niece Lori Anderson. He is survived by Florence Violet Alexander, married from 1972 - 2001; beloved children: Raphael Walter Alexander Williams (Tootsie), David Paul Alexander Williams (Lovie) and Hillary Danielle Alexander Williams (Hillie); grandchildren: Jacqueline, Rheyennah, Zakariah, Kareemah, Suliana, and Jonas; nieces and nephews: Gary, Rosalind, Sherrita, Lisa, Leslie, Malcolm, Lazell, and DeAngela. Raphael was a strong father, foster parent, uncle and friend to so many. He was the king of dad jokes and humor in general, having an amazing laugh and loving to make others smile. He will be missed by all.