Fort Worth, Texas – He was a father, a son, a boyfriend and just the kid who came across the street to shoot some baskets.
Darrent Williams was that and more to the dozens of family members and friends who came to the house on Rickee Drive in south Fort Worth all day Wednesday.
They remembered the boy and, later, the man who touched their lives in so many ways before the Denver Broncos player was shot dead Monday.
“He called me Pops,” recalled W.T. Bacey, who lives across the street from where Williams grew up. “He would never disrespect anyone. That’s just how he was.”
Bacey, who would often see Williams playing basketball in the man’s driveway, and others recalled the rising football star’s sense of humor, that infectious smile and his love for the community.
Unlike others who hit the big time, Williams knew where he came from.
“He’d come back to town, open up the hood of his car (to check out the engine), then we’d play video games out in the yard,” said Williams’ cousin Antrion Hill, who also lives across the street from Williams’ childhood home, where his mother, Rosa lind, still lives. “He was just one of the guys.”
Wednesday evening at the Williams’ house was as much a celebration of life as a time of mourning. Some cried and others hugged, but there was also joy and laughter as they remembered the impact Williams had on their lives.
Everyone was decked out in Broncos attire, including Williams’ grandmother, Easter, who sported a Darrent Williams No. 27 jersey.
Shala Sights, 22, had known Williams since they attended Carter Park Elementary School and later Rosemont Middle School. She first met him when he was in the third grade; she was in first grade at the time.
“He was my friend, but he was like a brother to me, too,” Sights said. “He always looked out for me. And that big beautiful smile…”
As the evening came to a close, the two dozen or so family members left at the house gathered in the living room, grasped one another’s hands tightly, then said a prayer for Williams – and for themselves.
“Father God, be with Rosalind and all the family and friends,” said evangelist and family friend Vanessa Chapman. “Father God, I thank you because you will wipe away every tear here.”
Even some who knew Williams only by reputation came to offer their condolences. That included Daron Chapman, who grew up with Williams’ mother but had never met the NFL player.
“I thought it was important to be here,” Chapman said.
The pain was still fresh in the face of Williams’ longtime off-and-on girlfriend, Tierria Leonard, the mother of Williams’ two children, Darius, 7, and Jaelyn, 4.
She remembered going to Denver for the holidays, watching Williams play against the Cincinnati Bengals on Christmas Eve, then going to Applebee’s for dinner.
On Christmas morning, Williams and Leonard were the first to get up, eagerly awaiting watching their children open presents. Darius got a Playstation 3.
Williams gave Leonard a diamond ring, bracelet and earrings. And Williams opened a new robe left under the tree from his two kids.
“We had a good Christmas,” she said. “It was all good.”
Williams’ aunt Pat Golightly text-messaged Williams on New Year’s Eve. She never got a reply.
“We’ll miss him,” she said.
Staff writer Carlos Illescas can be reached at 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com.
Funeral arrangements
Darrent Williams’ funeral is scheduled for noon Saturday in Fort Worth, Texas, where he grew up.
The funeral – open to the public – will be at Great Commission Baptist Church, 7700 McCart Ave., in Fort Worth. The church holds about 2,300 people. Speakers will include Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and coach Mike Shanahan.
A private memorial service is scheduled Friday in Fort Worth.
In Denver, a candlelight vigil for Williams will begin at 4:30 p.m. Friday at 10th Avenue and Broadway, concluding at West 11th Avenue and Speer Boulevard, the site of the shooting.
Another candlelight vigil organized by fans is set for 2:15 p.m. Saturday at Invesco Field at Mile High, at the south stands entrance below the horse waterfall.
Contributions to benefit Williams’ two children can be sent to the Darrent Williams Children’s Fund, c/o Denver Broncos, 13655 Broncos Parkway, Englewood, CO 80112.
Messages of condolence can be e-mailed to broncos.website@broncos.nfl.net. Messages also are being left at Williams’ MySpace website,myspace.com/deewill927.
