Ira Vashon Williams

Hey there, I’m Ira "Shon" Williams, born on July 19, 1974, to my amazing parents, Ira and Carolyn Williams. I grew up in the vibrant city of San Antonio, Texas, and went to Sam Houston High School. From what I've been told, even as a kid, I had this adventurous spirit that people seemed to like. My parents would often say that I was pretty well-mannered and that I had a warm, lovable nature. I always tried to bring a smile to people’s faces, maybe crack a joke or two to lighten the mood.
Family was everything to me. My mom, Carolyn, would often talk about how I was always there to protect my younger brothers. I guess you could say I took my role as the big brother pretty seriously. My brother Joseph would often mention how I tried to bring out the best in everyone around me. I loved my family fiercely, and I wanted them to always know that I’d be there for them, no matter what.
I liked making people feel special. My cousin Tabitha remembers the first time she visited San Antonio when she was just ten. She says I was sweet and made an effort to keep in touch, even reaching out when her husband passed away. To her, I was like a brother, even though we lived miles apart. My cousin LaTeshia always called me a gentleman with a good heart and a sense of humor. She was fond of my Love for my parents and how I’d always look out for my brothers.
I was known as a bit of a live wire, always smiling and goofing around. I guess my laugh was kind of contagious because my nieces and nephews always loved hanging out with me. Tyler, my niece, would always talk about those epic Street Fighter battles I had with her dad. And my nephew Donovan would probably tell you how I never let him win at dominoes, except maybe that one time when I pretended to lose just to see him smile.
Anime was another one of my big loves. My brothers and nephews could tell you stories about how I’d talk their ears off about the latest shows. I couldn't help but spoil the plot sometimes, but honestly, I just wanted to share my excitement. My brother Dietrich would laugh about how I’d always give away the endings, but in a way that he couldn’t be mad at me.
I was a hard worker and pretty determined—I never liked giving up on anything. My son Keon always said I was strong-minded, maybe even a bit stubborn, but hey, that's what it takes to be confident, right? He knew I was all about family, and he’d probably tell you I was a bit of a "boss" when it came to getting things done. I liked to keep myself looking sharp, always ironing my clothes before heading out and carrying my trusty sweat rag because, well, I sweat a lot.
People say they’ll always remember my dimples and the way I walked—something I got from my dad. I liked making people laugh, and I always tried to lift others up, no matter what they were going through. My cousin Pam used to joke about my "chicken legs," and we’d laugh about it every time.
I know I was loved by many, and that means the world to me. My niece Brianna nailed it when she said my laugh was one of a kind—loud, proud, and always making things funnier than they really were.
So, this is me, Shon. I hope I brought a little joy, laughter, and love to your life. I might be gone now, but if you think of me with a smile, then I guess I’m still right there with you. Thanks for all the good times.
I’ll miss you all, but don’t worry, I’ll never be far from your hearts.