Celebrating his life and Cherishing the Memories

William Vander III, also known as Lil Will and later Big Will, by his family was born on April 17, 1963 to the late William Vander Jr. and Georgia Vander in Norfolk, VA. He departed this life and transitioned to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 20, 2017.

As a native of Norfolk, Virginia, William was educated by Norfolk Public Schools and attended Granby High School. William was a member of many organizations including the football team and later went on to play semi-pro football for the Norfolk Sharks!

William Vander met the love of his life, Nancy Johnson in 1984 and they later had 3 children. In 2001 they were married and continued to raise their children together. William proved to be a hardworking family man as he dedicated many years of his life working as a fork lift operator for Continental Terminals, inspecting and sealing the bags, and even sometimes physically throwing the hundred pound bags himself.

William’s spirit was like no other. He had a way of making anyone smile with a joke, story, or even his talents of singing and free style rapping. William was always teaching life lessons to anyone who would listen and as his family would tell you, he was “still teaching” up until his last days. William loved many sports including basketball, football, tennis, track, UFC and boxing but he was a diehard Washington Redskins fan. William’s favorite basketball player was Lebron James, which is no surprise seeing as how his favorite basketball team went from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Miami Heat back to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Loved by many, Big Will, was a great husband, an exceptional father, wonderful family man, brother, son, uncle, and friend that will forever be in our hearts. We know that you are at peace in the presence of the Lord. You will be missed in our lives but we have no doubt, we will see you again.

William’s memories are cherished by his wife, Nancy Vander, two daughters Jasmine and Tiara Vander and one son Takeyon Vander, all of Norfolk; his mother Georgia Vander of Norfolk; his sisters Denise Vander and Cynthia Dawson (Leon) of Norfolk; one brother Joseph Pitt (Paquita) of Norfolk, his nephew Demetris (Mikey) Vander and niece Ciara Vander, his father in law (George Jackson), three sister in laws, an additional brother in law, and a host of cousins, great nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles and other relatives and friends.