William Louis Darby was born on November 14, 1967, in Newark, New Jersey, to Virgie Darby and the late William Lee Darby. On September 2, 2026, William departed this life at the age of 58, leaving behind a legacy of family, athletic excellence, military service, music, laughter, and unforgettable memories.
William was known for his playful spirit, infectious sense of humor, and larger-than-life personality. He was truly the life of the party. He loved to laugh, joke, have a good time, and bring energy wherever he went. William had a way of turning ordinary moments into memories, and those who knew him will remember not only what he accomplished, but the personality and presence he brought into every room.
A Champion on the Track
Growing up in Newark, William attended Malcolm X Shabazz High School, where his exceptional athletic ability began to shine. He later attended Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, becoming a standout member of Lincoln’s storied track and field program. William quickly established himself as one of the country’s premier Division III sprinters. In 1986, he became the NCAA Division III National Champion in the 200-meter dash, winning the national title with a time of 21.50 seconds. He also finished second in the nation in the 100-meter dash, running 10.93 seconds. William’s talent helped Lincoln nearly capture the 1986 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field team championship and placed his name permanently in the university’s athletic history. Track was more than competition for William—it was also about fellowship and community. During his time at Lincoln, William was associated with Track Phi Track Social Fellowship, Inc., a co-ed fellowship rooted in the track and field community and built around athletic excellence, academics, brotherhood, and sisterhood. Decades after his days as a young sprinter in Newark, William’s accomplishments continued to receive recognition. In 2014, William was inducted into the Newark Athletic Hall of Fame, representing his alma mater, Malcolm X Shabazz High School. From Shabazz to Lincoln University, from a young Newark runner to an NCAA National Champion and Hall of Fame inductee, William’s athletic accomplishments remained an important and proud part of his story.
A Life of Service
William also answered the call to serve his country by joining the United States Army. Later in life, he chose to put the uniform on once again, returning to military service as a member of the Army National Guard. His military service represented another important chapter in a life characterized by many different experiences and adventures.
The Music, the Laughter & the Man
Beyond athletics and military service, there was another great love in William’s life that he shared with his Best friend and Sister, Shonda: music. William had a true love for music, especially mixing House Music! He really enjoyed House Music the most and would uplift and inspire many of his Facebook followers to having a good day or going ham in a workout session. Music was part of who he was. It matched his energy, his playful personality, and his ability to bring people together. Back in the day, he and Shonda would make rap cassette tapes lol... and he would DJ and she would sing the hooks. THEY WERE MAGIC! William taught her how to play spades too. After the passing of his beloved Sharon, he appointed her as official Spades partner. And what a DUO we were!! Our shared love for music and hip-hop created a connection between us that remained until his passing.
Love & Family
Throughout his life, William experienced love through different seasons and chapters. From his first marriage he had 3 children and 1 more after. William later married Sharon, who preceded him in death, where he gained a bonus son and grandkids. William was a loving son, brother, father, and grandfather. He shared an especially close bond with his sister, Shonda aka Baby Doll. William loved his sister so deeply that when he became a father, he named one of his daughters Shonda in her honor—a lasting testament to the special relationship between brother and sister. They were siblings and best friends.
William leaves to cherish his memory his mother, Virgie. His only sister Shonda and her child Najlah Sharieff: Samuel and his children Zaire and Ania: and baby brother Wyndle Darby and his beautiful girls: Joi and Lola.
His legacy continues through his beloved grandchildren: Saniyah Darby-Lum, Skai Darby-Lum, Samirah Darby-Lum, Aiden Darby-Pennewell, Zuri Darby, William Darby III, and Hayden Darby. He also leaves to cherish his memory his nieces and nephews, extended family, friends, fellow soldiers, teammates, and the many people fortunate enough to share a piece of his journey. William was preceded in death by his father, William Lee Darby, and his wife, Sharon.
His Race Has Been Run!
William’s life cannot be measured simply by dates, titles, medals, or accomplishments. He was an NCAA National Champion. He was a Hall of Fame athlete. He was a Soldier. Served in Iraq and Desert Storm. He was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, athlete, music lover, and DJ. But those who loved him knew there was so much more. He was the man who could make you laugh. He was the life of the party. He was the brother who taught his little sister to ride a bike, fish, and catch snakes—and years later taught her to get behind the turntables. He was the brother who loved his sister so deeply that he gave his daughter her name. He was the athlete from Newark who ran his way into the history books. He was the music lover whose passion for hip-hop became something he could pass on to another generation. And he was William—playful, funny, complicated, talented, loving, and completely himself. As his family celebrates his life, they celebrate all of William: his accomplishments and imperfections, his adventures and relationships, his humor and personality, his service, his music, his love, and the countless stories that will continue to be told about him.
William spent part of his life running toward finish lines. On September 2, 2026, his earthly race came to an end. But his legacy did not. It lives in his family. It lives in every single person he encountered. Even on lives on Facebook! And will continue to live every time someone tells a William Darby story, laughs at a memory, deals a hand of spades, lines up some dominoes, or turns the music up just a little louder.
May the laughter be remembered. May the stories continue to be told. May the music keep playing. And as he would say, "IT'S ALL ABOUT THE LOVE"!
Rest in peace, my sweet brother, William.
HOPE YOU MADE IT UP THERE WITH DAD....WITH GRANDMA AND GRAND DADDY….WITH AUNT STUFFY AND AUNT SYLVIA, WITH MOOKIE AND CYNT'....WITH UNCLE CHARLES AND UNCLE JOHN, WITH AUNT DOT AND COUSIN TIMMY, WITH AUNT ROSE, REEREE AND PATRICIA AND THE MANY MANY LOVED ONES UNNAMED. I CAN JUST IMAGINE YOU SPINNING THOSE WHEELS OF STEEL AND LOVING ON EVERYBODY THERE. I LOVED YOU WILL. YOU WERE IT FOR ME. AND I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. I WILL HONOR YOU EVERY LABOR DAY AND GIVE TRIBUTE TO YOUR LIFE, YOUR LIGHT, YOUR MUSIC AND "THE LOVE".