William C. Jenkins

William Conway Jenkins Sr. was born on September 5, 1954, in Wilmington Delaware to the late Arthur

F. Jenkins and Virginia E. (Pauls) Jenkins. He was the first of their seven children together. He

transitioned to glory on September 13, 2023, in Christiana Hospital Hospice Care surrounded by family

and friends.

William received his early education in the DeLaWarr School District graduating high school in 1972. He

attended the University of Delaware for a while but left to pursue other goals. Although William was

born with health issues, you would never know it and he never let them define him. He would play and

tussle with all the other kids and he would never back down from a fight or a challenge. He always let his

siblings know that he was #1. It was from that tradition that they all started referring to themselves by

number according to birth order. William was also the jokester of the family. He could always find the

humor in any situation and would laugh more than anyone.

William was a compassionate, kind and giving soul and would always give what he had to those in need.

He was the type of person that if you truly needed help, he would be there for you. William spent his 30+

career working at Mosaic and its affiliates. It was his unswerving passion for working with and helping

adults with intellectual disabilities that became his defining trademark. As a Direct Support Professional

at the Fairfax Home, “Bill”, as he was called, had a special dedication to all the residents whom he treated

as family. One resident's family best described him in a nomination for recognition as demonstrating

"quiet/constant role-modeling" which helped to develop high levels of diligence, perseverance, integrity

and enhanced skills for all the staff there. They further wrote that "Bill's unsolicited/uncompensated quiet

leadership has ensured the stability of the remarkable/extraordinary program at the Fairfax Home.” After

many years of dedicated service, William retired in 2021.

William was also known as Dad, Big William, Bill, Jenks, Shaft and Unc. His greatest title, however, was

that of Pop-pop. He loved spending time and helping out with all of his grandchildren. He was also a

loving and nurturing father to all of his stepchildren. One of his favorite hobbies was bowling and also

attending football and baseball games of his nephew. He enjoyed watching pro football games with

family and friends; and it did not matter who won or lost, as long as it was a good game!

William was married to Rosa (Harris) Jenkins for 27 years and from this union he was blessed with two

sons, William Jr. and Byron. He loved them both dearly and was able to tell them that in his final days.

In addition to his parents, William was preceded in death by two brothers, Thomas and Kenneth Jenkins.

William leaves to cherish his memory his sons, William Jr. (Sedonia) and Byron (Nyja), three brothers,

James, Clayton (Diane) and Arthur, and three sisters, Paula J. Massie (Winfred), Lisa Brooks and JoAnn

Jenkins. Grandchildren, Saniyah, William III, Jai’den, Willow, Jai’lynn, Serenity, Nori, Nola, Se’kaih and

Se’nyah. Two devoted nephews, Austin Jenkins (Mirna) and Donovan Brooks whom he helped guide.

Former spouse, Rosa (Harris) Jenkins; stepchildren Robert and Nathaniel Harris, Stanley and Marquita

Brooks. A special companion, Joanne Erbie as well a host of other relatives and friends.