Larry D. Williams

Celebrating Big Jab’s life and transition from this temporal earthly existence to his heavenly eternal rest. Born Larry Derail Williams, September 30, 1953, Big Jab chose his glorious exodus on December 17, 2024. Born in Lubbock, TX to Ms. Romie Lee Maxey and Mr. Henry ‘Hank’ Williams, Larry was the first Maxey grandson and oldest son of all his 14 siblings. At the age of seven, his family relocated to Denver, CO where he attended Cur D ’Ars Catholic Elementary School and gained an interest in sports. His mother, Romie, wanted her children to grow up around their grandparents, so in 1969, the family moved to Albuquerque, NM where Larry attended Lincoln Middle School and Albuquerque High School. It was here that Larry’s athletic abilities were honed and elevated to a level of excellence he learned to teach.

 After graduating from Albuquerque High School in 1973, Larry attended New Mexico State University where he studied to be a social worker and played as a defensive lineman on the football team. He was also a charter member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Theta Omega Chapter. In 1977, Larry (Big Jab) was drafted into the National Football League (NFL) and played for the Baltimore Colts until he had damaged his knee and was released.

 In the 1980s, Larry utilized his skills in social work by working and helping the students at the Albuquerque Job Corp. During that time, he continued what he started in high school working for the City of Albuquerque in the Parks and Recreation Department. During those more than 30 years, Larry worked and developed youth engagement programs for various neighborhoods; coaching and mentoring young men and women in all areas of sports and athletics, encouraging them to aim high, achieved their goals and to become successful. Big Jab worked at Dennis Chavez, Thomas Bell, San Jose, East San Jose, Heights, and Alamosa community centers. Larry grew to be a strong leader in his family and in the community; the one many called on in their time of need.

 Larry gave his life to the Lord in 2003 and put in to practice the love of God he had seen in his mother. He knew his calling was to the children and that was his focus; reaching them through Community Center programs and activities to know how to depend on God and put in the work to reach their goals. In 2015, Big Jab retired from the City of Albuquerque, but he did not stop working with the community. He continued to be available for those who knew to lean on his strength and life experience for wisdom, guidance and trust in God he came to know. He continued to work as a security guard where he maintained his influence as a leader and coach to his coworkers and reconnected with many of the students who came through his programs over the years until his untimely death.

 Larry loved his family. He was a hero and a protector for many who loved him and considered him their family. He was an encourager. He had seen more life than most and was willing to share what he learned with anyone who would listen. He was a writer of inspirational sayings and poems. He started saying, “Big Jab Says” with every nugget he shared, and it became his signature line. One thing he always said was how grateful he was to have his family and that they were active in his life.

 “Family, stay together. Mom taught us right. Granny and Granddaddy taught us to love right. Love one another. One love. Family love, Big Jab Says!” Larry carried a strong, positive presence of love that will be missed.

 Larry is welcomed by his mother, Romie Lee Maxey-Willis, his father Hank Williams, his sons Delacio Williams and Thomas Brown, his brothers Bobby McCoy and LaMonth LHerrison, his grandparents Henry Clay Maxey, Pearlee Maxey, Duvall Williams, and Louise Williams. Celebrating his life and legacy are his wife Maranda Williams, his children Larry D Williams Jr. (Mandy), Derrell Williams (Gina), Crystal Williams, David Hendrickson, Shaneil Williams, Tasha Madrid (Tyler), Shenice Davis, and Santiago Williams of Albuquerque, NM; Nicole Chilton of Chicago, IL, Samaiyah Robinson (Julius) of Arlington, TX; Veronica Williams of The Colony, TX and Anthony Brown (Althea) of Bernalillo, NM; Sisters Mary Frances Williams, Germaine Mooney, Dora Roth of Erie, PA; Felicia Williams of Georgia, Charlene Williams-Butts (David) of Virginia, Renecca Ramos of Duncanville, TX, and Romey Bernadette Willis of Crowley, TX; Brothers Leonard Williams of Chicago, IL, Leon Williams, Leroy Williams of Erie, PA, Lionel Williams (Rosetta) of Cleveland, OH; Lamar Williams (Mainmuna Nyang) of Pittsburg, PA; 24 grandchildren, six great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends.

 Elder Zachary Thompson, Sr Officiating