Della Marie Williams was born on October 23,1939 in Jacksonville, Florida to Willie K Bradford and Rosa Ellen Bradford. She was the third child born into this union. She often talked about her experiences living in both Florida and Alabama as a child. Most of her school years took place in Jacksonville, Florida where she attended Darnell Cookman Elementary, Isaiah Blocker Junior High and graduated from Stanton Senior High School class of 1957. She also attended Junior College in Jacksonville
In 1961, Della married Artis Williams who was in the U.S. Navy. During her marriage to Artis, she lived in Puerto Rico for many years and immersed herself in the food, culture, and learned to speak fluent Spanish. She revisited learning Spanish after she retired by taking classes at OASIS, Yvonne Burke Senior Center and use of Duolingo. She would practice speaking Spanish with her grandchildren and would greet them with “Hola, Como Esta” to engage in a conversation in Spanish. Della also lived in Norfolk, Virginia, and Brunswick, Maine before eventually moving to California
When Della moved to California she lived in San Francisco, San Diego and eventually Los Angeles in which she would make her home after her divorce from Artis. While in the process of receiving her Associate Arts degree from Southwest College, she met Reuben Williamson. He was also a student at Southwest following his departure from the U.S army. From this union they were blessed with their daughter Ayana Kai Williamson (Ayana Bozé). She was a dedicated mother and she always put her daughter first.
In the 1980s, Della worked in Aerospace at Howard Hughes Helicopter until the company relocated to Arizona. The majority of her work experience was at the United Health Plan as an Administrative Secretary until she retired.
Della enjoyed learning. She returned to college and graduated from University of Phoenix with her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in 1998. She also took piano lessons and Spanish classes and enjoyed reading and collecting books after retirement. She would often share her knowledge when she talked to her family, neighbors and friends of her loved ones about what was going on in the community. She was a proud member of the Chesterfield Neighborhood Block Club where she served as secretary. She had a strong interest in preserving the beauty and enhancing the community in which she lived for over 45 years.
Della had a vibrant personality. She was reserved yet bold, private yet personable, considerate yet witty, introvertive yet outgoing and knew exactly when to show each trait. She appreciated simplicity and also had an affinity for cars and beautiful clothes. She was a regular at Macy’s. She would not only shop for herself but for those she loved also, especially her grandchildren.
In 2006, her daughter Ayana married Jason Bozé. She was excited and grateful for this union and loved her son-in-law. Her first grandchild Lucas Bozé was born in 2007 followed by Selah Bozé in 2009 and the twins Benjamin Bozé and Judah Bozé in 2013.
While Jason and Ayana worked, she provided care for her grandchildren with the support of her sister Carrie during the week. Caring for her grandchildren brought her joy, kept her busy, and helped her recover from her stroke. She would attend their games, school events, and activities. She enjoyed cheering them on and seeing them hit their milestones.
Celebrating birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions with her family and friends also brought her joy. She valued her family and enjoyed her visits and phone conversations with them. She was also grateful to have wonderful neighbors who were like her extended family.
On May 8, 2024, Della was called home. She was surrounded by love during her transition. She was preceded in death by her father Willie K, mother Rose Ellen; sisters, Rosemary, Barbara, Georgia, and her brothers Willie K Jr. and Willie K Mabury. She leaves to cherish her memories; one daughter, Ayana; son-in-law Jason; four grandchildren, Lucas, Selah, Benjamin, and Judah; two sisters,Carrie and Pearl and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Della was a dedicated mother, grandmother, sister and friend to those she loved and cared for. She will be missed by many and treasured by those that hold her dear in their hearts.
