Leroy Anthony Williams

Proverbs 17:27

The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and has understanding is even-tempered.

Leroy Anthony Williams was born in Cabrini Hospital, New York, New York, November 20th, 1959, and raised in The Bronx, New York.

He departed this life late at night on May 12th, 2026, at Bellevue Hospital.

He attended Adali E Stevenson High School in the Bronx and graduated from there in 1977. While in school he excelled at machine shop, auto mechanics but the subject he was most noted for was music. Although he attended music class in school, he was a self-taught musician and a prodigy, his favorite instrument being the guitar. Leroy was known in school and by the local community to be the ‘quiet guy who played the guitar left-handed and spoke through his music.’ He wrote songs, performed at night clubs, and recorded in studios with many underground artists in the Greenwich Village scene. Everyone knew Leroy’s music idol was Jimi Hendrix and he even began to dress like him. Growing up in the Bronx, that turned many heads. The family joke among his siblings was that Leroy was the ‘white sheep of the family’ because of his love of rock music, as a Black man.

Leroy was not a man of many words, but a quiet, observant soul with a big heart. His actions spoke louder than his words. He was a humble and hardworking man at whatever he chose to do. (Thessalonians 4:11, Isaiah 30:15)

Leroy was ambidextrous and good working with his hands. Once at 17 years old, he took a piece of a tree bark and a carving knife and made the body of a guitar, a skill that he developed from his father during his childhood. Leroy worked many jobs over the years in the lines of security, setting up his career as a fire safety director, but what he truly desired was a life in music. It can also be noted that Leroy had an extensive collection of guitars and equipment, much to the patience and understanding of his wife Leta.

Leroy had a great sense of humor and a winning smile, when he did. To know him was to understand that with his quiet demeanor came a serious but warm face. He loved action movies, sports (he played baseball as a kid with his brother Calvin, but music won his heart and soul) and good food, especially a good of pizza.

To see Leroy in his youth many would be surprised to see that he became a dedicated family man. In 1997, he met the love of his life, Leta Sukhan and his journey truly began, together in 1999, they had their daughter Sarah Alvina, completing the family unit with Sarah’s already existing siblings Felicia, Mike and Romain. Leroy loved and cared for them as if they were his own blood. The completion of their family unit came to be with the addition of their cats Kilo and Loki. Leroy could be found at 2 o’clock in the morning every night, faithfully feeding them crackers.

Leroy also knew the Lord. He was baptized in Trinity Episcopal Church, in The Bronx, the year of his birth and confirmed at St Andrews Episcopal Church in The Bronx, where he accepted Christ as his Savior in 1975. He developed a strong system of faith from his Mother Leandra, who was his biggest cheerleader and helped him develop his walk and understanding of Jesus Christ.

Leroy is survived by his devoted and loving wife Leta, Daughter’s Sarah and Felicia (his 2 partners in good crime), Sons Romain and Michael, and Grandchildren, Mark, Destiny and Mikayla.

Leroy is also survived by his sisters, Renee Williams, Lyra Cooper, and Stepsister Velda Pinnock Haynes. His Brothers Jerome and Robert Shuford, Brother-in-law, Tony Fuller and former Brother-in-law Michael Tatum.

Preceding Leroy in death are his parents Leandra Fountaine-Pinnock and Willie Williams, Stepfather Ralph Pinnock, Brother Calvin Williams, Sisters Theresa, and Yvonne Williams.

Also mourning his loss are a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family and friends, with an honorable mention of his Niece NaQuavaha Tatum (who adored him),Nephews Brandon Brown, Courtney Shuford, Grayson Stanback and Olliver Ebron all who thought of him as the ‘cool quiet laid back Uncle’. Also, an honorable mention of his Aunt Sarah Covington, his father’s only surviving sibling who thought the world of and loved Leroy dearly.

The family of Leroy Williams, both immediate and extended would like to thank all who showed love, care and concern for Leroy over the course of time of his illness and his final days.

2 Corinthians 5:8 states: ‘We are confident, I say and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.’ Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts and mind, we will always carry your memory in our hearts.

Leroy, you will be sorely missed by all who loved and knew you. May God be pleased with you and Rest in Paradise.