Obituary for William Jacob Easton
William Jacob Easton was born on April 10, 1999 at Memorial Hospital at 10:31 pm to James and Vonchrusha Easton. William’s arrival to his earthly home was so unexpectedly quick that the labor and delivery of his natural child birth was only 30 minutes. William lived his life with the same passion and zest that he entered this earth with. William’s earthly fight to give this world everything he was purposed to, never stopped until God called him home on April 9, 2021 at 6:45 p.m. as he was surrounded by family and friends at Orange Park Medical Center.
William was a member of the Bethel Institutional Baptist Church, where he participated in various youth ministries. Also, William expressed his love of community through his volunteerism. He served faithfully and regularly at Clara White Mission, and he could always be counted on to donate his time and youthful energy to the Duval Teacher’s United with various activities.
William’s athletic prowess was obvious as early as 3 years of age. He was young but he was fast and fearless. He always wanted to keep up with the big boys. He joined the LBF Stars, a youth and AAU program. He consistently led his team to championship after championship. He led his team to win a state championship as a U12 and a national championship as a U13. His playing abilities were dominant and infectious. William allowed his play and the scoreboard to speak for him as he would routinely point to it to signal victory.
William was educated in the Duval County Public School System. He attended St. Stephen Child Care and Learning Center and then completed his early education at R.L. Brown Elementary School from kindergarten to fifth grade. He was loved by the staff and students. William then moved forward to succeed at Julia Landon College Preparatory. He was a scholar athlete as he played football, basketball and track. William thoroughly enjoyed his middle school time.
William was a distinguished 2017 graduate of Jean Ribault High School. At Ribault, foremost, he excelled in all of his academic studies. He was a member of the National Honor Society and BETA Club. William’s tenacity and character inspired his classmates and all others. He was so well-loved that he was even crowned Prom Prince. William’s high school years continued to allow him to showcase his love for sports. He was preeminent and incomparable on the basketball court and track field. Despite being only 5’4 inches tall, he was a dynamic dunker as featured by ESPN.
William was a consummate point guard that left everything on the floor. He truly studied the game. Of course, William’s life of growing up on and around basketball courts around this city and nation contributed to his excellence. He discovered an additional talent and gift in track and field. William was an All-Gateway Conference high jumper. He had a personal best in the high jump of 6’8’’.
William was blessed to begin his collegiate career at Morris College in Sumter, SC, Majoring in Sports Medicine. He was recruited with scholarships and a valued member of the cross country team. He earned many honors including making the Dean’s List. However, after matriculating at Morris College for 2 years, William knew he was purposed for more. He decided to pursue his passion for basketball. He was recruited and awarded a scholarship to attend Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, OH. At Wilberforce, William realized his dream of playing collegiate basketball. William continued his pursuit of academic excellence at Wilberforce University. He earned Academic All-Conference honors for the 2019-2020 season. In the spring of 2020, he was also initiated on campus in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Delta Chapter of Wilberforce University-The Invisible AKT 7. He continued to receive academic honors and was set to receive his degree this year. William was such a high achiever that he even took on a part-time position as an associate at BJ Wholesale Club in Jacksonville. He made a tremendous impact on the store and his fellow associates.
William was preceded in death by his grandparents: Mattie J. Duke of South Bend, IN, Ella Veese Pugh and Herman Fowler.
William leaves to mourn his loving and devoted parents James and Vonchrusha Easton. His grandparents: Joe “Papa Joe“ Duke, and Dr. James H. Easton, Sr. (Alnetta) of Lafayette, LA; one brother: Jason Shields (Sherrie) of San Antonio, TX; two sisters: Shante Easton, Nakele Lundy (Caleb); nieces: Nyiaha and Nariah; aunt: Alma Butler; uncles: Scott E. Easton (Debra), Sean J. Easton, Steven J. Easton (Cyntrell) of Lafayette, LA, Eddie L, Jones, Jr., Edward Lazenberry (Cynthia), Kevin S. Fowler of Middletown, DE; ordinated godparents: Bobby and Audrey Pridgen; adopted godfathers: Deatry Lang, David Graham; godsisters: Tia Pridgen, Raneisha Robertson, Quatilda Lang, DJ Lang; godbrothers: Deatry Lang, Jr., Chase Bonham, and Dale Green II; special family: Mr. and Mrs. Albert Chester, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Dale Green, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jackson, and a host of other relatives and friends.
William was a member of the Bethel Institutional Baptist Church, where he participated in various youth ministries. Also, William expressed his love of community through his volunteerism. He served faithfully and regularly at Clara White Mission, and he could always be counted on to donate his time and youthful energy to the Duval Teacher’s United with various activities.
William’s athletic prowess was obvious as early as 3 years of age. He was young but he was fast and fearless. He always wanted to keep up with the big boys. He joined the LBF Stars, a youth and AAU program. He consistently led his team to championship after championship. He led his team to win a state championship as a U12 and a national championship as a U13. His playing abilities were dominant and infectious. William allowed his play and the scoreboard to speak for him as he would routinely point to it to signal victory.
William was educated in the Duval County Public School System. He attended St. Stephen Child Care and Learning Center and then completed his early education at R.L. Brown Elementary School from kindergarten to fifth grade. He was loved by the staff and students. William then moved forward to succeed at Julia Landon College Preparatory. He was a scholar athlete as he played football, basketball and track. William thoroughly enjoyed his middle school time.
William was a distinguished 2017 graduate of Jean Ribault High School. At Ribault, foremost, he excelled in all of his academic studies. He was a member of the National Honor Society and BETA Club. William’s tenacity and character inspired his classmates and all others. He was so well-loved that he was even crowned Prom Prince. William’s high school years continued to allow him to showcase his love for sports. He was preeminent and incomparable on the basketball court and track field. Despite being only 5’4 inches tall, he was a dynamic dunker as featured by ESPN.
William was a consummate point guard that left everything on the floor. He truly studied the game. Of course, William’s life of growing up on and around basketball courts around this city and nation contributed to his excellence. He discovered an additional talent and gift in track and field. William was an All-Gateway Conference high jumper. He had a personal best in the high jump of 6’8’’.
William was blessed to begin his collegiate career at Morris College in Sumter, SC, Majoring in Sports Medicine. He was recruited with scholarships and a valued member of the cross country team. He earned many honors including making the Dean’s List. However, after matriculating at Morris College for 2 years, William knew he was purposed for more. He decided to pursue his passion for basketball. He was recruited and awarded a scholarship to attend Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, OH. At Wilberforce, William realized his dream of playing collegiate basketball. William continued his pursuit of academic excellence at Wilberforce University. He earned Academic All-Conference honors for the 2019-2020 season. In the spring of 2020, he was also initiated on campus in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Delta Chapter of Wilberforce University-The Invisible AKT 7. He continued to receive academic honors and was set to receive his degree this year. William was such a high achiever that he even took on a part-time position as an associate at BJ Wholesale Club in Jacksonville. He made a tremendous impact on the store and his fellow associates.
William was preceded in death by his grandparents: Mattie J. Duke of South Bend, IN, Ella Veese Pugh and Herman Fowler.
William leaves to mourn his loving and devoted parents James and Vonchrusha Easton. His grandparents: Joe “Papa Joe“ Duke, and Dr. James H. Easton, Sr. (Alnetta) of Lafayette, LA; one brother: Jason Shields (Sherrie) of San Antonio, TX; two sisters: Shante Easton, Nakele Lundy (Caleb); nieces: Nyiaha and Nariah; aunt: Alma Butler; uncles: Scott E. Easton (Debra), Sean J. Easton, Steven J. Easton (Cyntrell) of Lafayette, LA, Eddie L, Jones, Jr., Edward Lazenberry (Cynthia), Kevin S. Fowler of Middletown, DE; ordinated godparents: Bobby and Audrey Pridgen; adopted godfathers: Deatry Lang, David Graham; godsisters: Tia Pridgen, Raneisha Robertson, Quatilda Lang, DJ Lang; godbrothers: Deatry Lang, Jr., Chase Bonham, and Dale Green II; special family: Mr. and Mrs. Albert Chester, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Dale Green, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jackson, and a host of other relatives and friends.