Kenneth Anthony Williams

Kenneth Anthony Williams was born in Bethel, North Carolina on January 26, 1948 to parents Christine Williams and Jesse Weaver. Kenneth was the youngest of five siblings and was fun- loving and mischievous. He particularly enjoyed playing tricks on his sister Shirley when she had company. Kenny’s happy childhood was interrupted when he was hit by a car and lay in a coma for two weeks. It was his mother’s faith and prayers that lead to his full recovery.

When Kenny returned from the hospital, the neighborhood kids would come to his backyard to play basketball. Kenny was resilient — he would play basketball with a full cast on his leg.

Kenny attended Bethel Union High School. He was often highlighted in his local newspaper for his basketball skills. After his high school graduation, Kenny moved to Boston to join his family and was invited to try out with the Boston Celtics. Due to injuries, he was never able to have a professional basketball career but remained a lifelong basketball fan.

Kenny also had a very musical side. The family had a singing group and Kenny would sing and play the guitar. He was the Williams’ family version of David Ruffin of the Four Tops. In addition, Kenny enjoyed TV westerns and sharing his love of the movie "The Ten Commandments" with his sister Shirley. Kenny referred to himself as “The Heat” however, his family refers to him as “Moses.”

Kenny began his 38 year career at Massport in 1983. By his retirement, he had risen to become Transportation Supervisor. Kenneth loved his job because every day was different and it was fast-paced. He was well-liked by cabbies, bus drivers, passengers and managers because he was up front and truthful. They knew he would arbitrate disputes with real fairness and honesty. He was well-respected and liked by his coworkers who nick-named Kenny, “The Dude.”

It was through his job that Ken first saw his wife Gwen in 1991. They married in New York in 1994 and embarked on a romantic partnership until they were parted by his death.

Ken and Gwen spent many happy years traveling. They were privileged to spend almost one month in Hong Kong for her work. Kenny spent fun days touring the city with friends who lived there and was truly the tallest, brown-ist person the folks in Hong Kong had ever seen. They also traveled frequently to London giving them the chance to spend time with their godchildren Ethan and Isaac. Kenny loved teaching them about American basketball and plying them with chewing gum (much to the chagrin of their parents). They traveled yearly with their friends and colleagues to Barcelona, Paris, Vienna, Rome, Florence, the Azores, Buenos Aires and Los Angeles to hang out with family. Kenny was the gentle giant everywhere he went.

Kenneth passed peacefully at home with his wife by his side. He leaves behind his beloved sister Shirley and his loving niece Karmel. Kenny always had a special place in his heart for his nephew Darryl, who died in 2010. In addition, nieces and nephews Anita, Kevin, Lyndsey, Stephanie, Christopher, Sherman, Charlene, Kim, Terrance, and more extended family and friends who will miss Kenny terribly, until they see him again.