William James Quicksey Jr. passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Saturday, September 7, 2024. The oldest boy of six siblings, he was named after his father, who everyone called Pop. Family and friends back home in New Haven knew him as Brother. Around Seattle, where he settled in his twenties, he was known as Bill.
Brother was born February 27, 1962 in Anniston, AL and raised in New Haven, CT where he played football and ran track in high school, and loved to fish, swim, and go bowling with friends. He graduated from Richard C. Lee High School in 1980 and received a certificate in Welding from the Graduated Technical Careers Institute of West Haven, CT the following year.
From New Haven, Brother moved west to Washington state. His father and sister followed soon after.
Brother’s training as a welder landed him a job at Boeing in 1991. He worked as a structural mechanic at Boeing’s Everett, WA plant for 19 years, with most of his time spent working on body structure for 777 (Triple Seven) passenger planes. During his years at Boeing, the company produced the most reliable and sky-worthy planes in the world, as he would remind anyone that he ever overheard in an airport saying they were afraid of flying.
As proud as he was of his years at Boeing, Brother was even prouder of his kids. He was that Dad yelling “that’s my boy” or “that’s my baby girl” at games or school ceremonies. A fierce protector of his family and friends, he was also that uncle who would give nieces and nephews a crisp $100 bill for getting straight A’s at school.
Although a stroke left him unable to speak or walk independently at the age of 47, Brother continued to shine his humor and joy on those around him. He charmed nurses and aides. He continued to sing and to hum: Luther and old-school R&B year-round; “This Christmas” and familiar hymns around the holidays. Brother would call friends and family and serenade them, even if he couldn’t speak the lyrics. His eyes and face were so expressive that you could almost hear every unspoken word.
When we think of him—William James Quicksey Jr., Bill, Dad, Uncle Brother—he is laughing. Singing “Ain’t no stoppin us now / we’re on the move.” And now he is at peace.
Mr. Quicksey is survived by daughter Angelica Quicksey (Tyler) and son William James Quicksey III; sisters Gayle Quicksey-Wilder, Deborah Quicksey-Meade, Monique and Lakisha Quicksey; brother Franklin Quicksey (Betty); 13 nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
He follows his mother, Sylvia Ruth Blackwell Rowe, and father, William James Quicksey Sr., in eternal rest.
A Memorial service to celebrate Mr. Quicksey’s life and legacy will be held Friday, September 20, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Curvin K. Council Funeral Home, 128 Dwight Street, New Haven, CT. The service will be live-streamed via the following link or by visiting Curvin K. Council Funeral Home on Facebook. https://facebook.com/events/s/
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Closer to Free Fund for Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale.
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Dear Family,
I am so saddened to hear that Brother passed and send my condolences. I pray that God will comfort, bless, and bring you peace during this difficult time.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my beloved cousin. He was not only a big brother to his siblings but his cousins as well. May the cherished memories we shared with Brother bring comfort and peace in the days ahead. My deepest condolences to the family.
In Prayer,
Fatima
We extend our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the Quicksey Family…And please know that we continue to pray that the Lord will comfort and strengthen you during this most difficult time of bereavement. Brother will always be remembered by the R.C. Lee High School Alumni !!!
Look to God during these difficult times. knowing them for a long time. Love y’all mother palmer from Elliott st.