ORDER OF SERVICE
Officiating: Rev. Vashti Profitt Worship Leader: Dr. Anthony Baird
Keyboardist: Mr. Tyrone Hartzog
Drummer: Mr. Aaron Shields
Bassist: Mr. Daniel Folds & Mr. Joshua Gordon
Prelude
Call to Worship
Scripture Readings
Psalms 23
Thessalonians 4 : 13 -18
Ephesians 2 :8-9
Prayer of Comfort
Solo
Let Go, Let God
Obituary
Video Tribute from Boys & Girls Club
Praise Medley
Ms. Allia Baird
Mrs. Francine Bowser
Miss Leilani Williams
Ms. Khamali Brown
Mr. Tyrone Hartzog
Mrs. Leotha Alexander, Ms. Jasmyn Baird, Mr. Austyn Baird, Mr. Aaron Sheilds, Ms. Allia Baird.
Mrs. Nana Tanaka (Wiilliams)
Ms. Althia Boutrin
Remarks
Limit to 2 mins
Acknowledgements
Solo
Goodness of God
Eulogy
Closing Selection
Final Viewing
Recessional
Mr. Naieem Suliman Elordi, Mr. Charlie Halley & Mr. Mikeem Young Officer Brian Mascaro
Ms. Audrey Baird & Mr. David Gordon
Mr. Tyrone Hartzog
Rev. Vashti Profitt
Going Up Yonder (Medley)
Slideshow from the Family
OBITUARY
Preston Benjamin Williams, affectionately known as the "Fresh Prince of Albany,"was born on July 13, 1991, in Jamaica, Queens, the only child to Denise and Kingsley Williams. On October 6th 2024, after 33 short but impactful years, Preston passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy as a beloved father, devoted son and cherished friend.
Preston’s early years were spent in Queens, New York, before his family relocated to Albany. From a young age, Preston had a deep passion for Christ, public speaking and creating community and performance. These attributes and his vibrant personality made him standout in both his school and church communities. In elementary school, he would minister with his grandmother, boldly asking people if they knew and loved Jesus. It was during his time at Albany High where his leadership skills truly began to flourish. There, he joined the Theater Ensemble and graced the stage in many productions including “Cabaret”, “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Allison.” He also founded the fraternity “TH3ta Gamma Xi” (pronounced Theta Gamma Xi), which became a testament to his dedication to Christ and his love for bringing people together. His unwavering dedication to his community, during and after high school, eventually earned him a Proclamation from the Mayor of Albany.
Determined to pursue his dream, of acting, Preston moved to Orlando, Florida, to attend Full Sail University, where he met his wife, Nana. Even as he ventured to new places, Preston remained deeply connected to his Albany roots. He expanded HYP3 Next Level
Entertainment, a lifestyle company started in Albany, to Orlando, bridging two communities he held dear. On September 26th, 2014, Preston and Nana welcomed their daughter, Leilani, who was the light of his life and his greatest joy. To support his growing family, Preston auditioned for Walt Disney World, where he worked as an Entertainment Cast Member from 2015 to 2020.
OBITUARY
He brought joy and magic to this role, creating thousands of magical moments for countless families from all over the world. His talents as an actor also shone through in performances at Universal Orlando Resort.
In 2016, Preston faced the unimaginable when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He fought this diagnosis with grace and humility. While undergoing various treatments he continued to bring joy, happiness and God into everything that he did. In 2022, he moved back to Albany to be closer to family and immediately reconnected with his community taking on a mentoring role at the Boys and Girls Club.
In 2024, Preston learned that the cancer had reached a terminal stage and after a fierce 8 year battle, Preston transitioned on Sunday October 6th surrounded by a number of family and friends.
Preston is preceded by grandfathers Ovid and Willis; great-aunts, Jo, Mavis, Dorothy, Monica; great-uncle Thomas; aunt, Sharon and grandmother in law; Fumiko.
Preston leaves so many behind to cherish his memory, his daughter, Leilani; his parents, Denise and Kingsley; his wife, Nana; mother-inlaw, Yumiko; his grandmothers, Grace and Phyllis; his grandfather, Luther; his great-grandmother, Elma (103); his great aunts, Patsy and Faith; his great aunt in-law, Toshiko; his aunts, Francine, Audrey, Rhonda, Sandra, Vashti, Grace, Joan, Marcella and Hiroko; his great-uncles, Melvin, Micheal, John (Billy) and Lawrence, his uncles, Anthony, Andrew, Bruce, Shurland, Christopher, Elvis and Rob; his siblings (first cousins), Leotha, Jasmyn, Austyn, Aaron, Allia, Hiroko and Taiki and his best friends, Althia, Naieem, Charlie, Brian and Tyrone and a number of other cousins, nieces, nephews, godchildren, close friends, mentees and acquaintances.
YOU CAN
By David Harkins
You can shed tears that he is gone
Or you can smile because he has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him
Or you can be full of the love that you shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday
You can remember him and only that he is gone
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Preston’s family wishes to express their deepest appreciation and sincere thanks for all acts of kindness during this difficult time. Your thoughts, prayers and thoughtful actions of sympathy are greatly appreciated.
In Preston’s honor we ask that you send monetary contributions to Leilani’s Future Fund. This money will go towards her future educational expenses and helping her fulfill her dreams as her father would have wanted.
The family also wanted to share the video tributes so we can all have them to reflect on the joyful memories we had with Preston.
Please use this link https://linktr.ee/prestonbwilliams or the QR Code below to access “Leilani’s Future Fund” and video tributes.
