Willie James Keys III's Obituary
Willie James Keys, III was born on January 1, 1990, to Tyroina “Tonya”
Kennedy and Willie James Keys, Jr. of St. Louis, Missouri.
He was a very athletic child that was drawn to basketball and during his youth
under the coaching tutelage of Tony Dean and Chris Carnes, him and his
teammates placed regularly at the Show-Me-State games and many
tournaments in and around the St. Louis area.
Willie later decided to take his talents to Cardinal Ritter College Prep High
School (CRCP) where they won the State Championship, and the team had
their names enshrined in the CRCP basketball gymnasium where their coveted
championship banner still hangs from the rafters as motivation to all young
CRCP players.
After high school, Willie attended Alabama A&M University where he was doing
general studies and wanted to study architecture, he also received awards
and accolades in composition writing. It was also during this time that he was
bitten by the patriotic bug and decided to join the United States Air Force
where he served six years as a reservist. Shortly after completing his military
obligation he decided that being his own boss was what he wanted to do!
Loyalty Family Faith LLC (LFF) was born, he produced custom designed
apparel for businesses and custom clothing to distribute under the LFF brand.
Willie had just started a spin off clothing collection under his current brand
name called the “Victorious Collection” geared towards people of all walks of
life who had overcome any rough situation to become “Victorious”.
Although many might think his time seems to have been cut short, remember
Willie’s favorite verse 2nd Corinthians 5:7. He accomplished a lot and set a
standard while leaving a legacy that his siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins and
friends can follow and continue to strive for generational wealth while
displaying a big heart just like Willie wanted for us all.
Willie James Keys, III leaves behind: mothers ~ Tyroni “Tonya” Kennedy and
Janet Keys; father ~ Willie James Keys, Jr.; four sisters ~ Marneice Lee,
Tanisha Kennedy, Tatyana Grace and Taylor Keys; four brothers ~ Derrick
Kennedy, DeMonta Kennedy, William Grace and William Kennedy (who
preceded him in death); grandparents ~ Eilmetta Davis, Eric (Sheron) Harris,
Barbara (Tommy) Harris, Willie James Keys, Sr. (who both preceded him in
death), Troy (Audrey) Jackson and Lois Jackson; and a host of nieces,
nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.
What’s your fondest memory of Willie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Willie?
Share a story where Willie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Willie you’ll never forget.
How did Willie make you smile?
