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William F.  ""Sunny""
Daniels  Jr.

May 17, 1938 – October 11, 2018

William Daniels
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Obituary for William F. ""Sunny"" Daniels Jr.

William Fifer Daniels, Jr. was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 17, 1938 to Virginia Laverne Turner and William Fifer Daniels, Sr. His parents both later remarried and William held the status of being the oldest of ten brothers and sisters His parents, two sisters: Marcella and Sharon, and two brothers: Kenneth and Ronald, preceded him in death.

William or ‘Junior’ as he was known to his siblings, attended the Detroit Public Schools. He grew up in the heart of Motown, residing on 2nd, 16th, 23rd, Vinewood, and Elm Streets. He liked to recount his adventures and encounters with one or two of the Motown legends who lived in his neighborhood. There were tales of fist fights and rumbles, things typical to a teenager. Although he was the oldest, he was always following his younger brother, Ronnie, into forbidden territory, like the railroad tracks at night. William was easy going and even-tempered but on rare occasions, he could be provoked. He rarely raised his voice but when you saw that head tilt forward, eyes raised, and the furrow in his forehead, you knew he meant business. On the other hand, he had a crazy but dry sense of humor. He liked to sing old songs, do the bop like an old man, and use acronyms in his conversation like S.O.S. (same ole stuff), one of his favorite.

At the age of 17, William decided to join the United States Navy. After enlisting, he married Yvonne Pitts in 1958 and six children were born into this union. He also decided to exchange the neighborhood street fighting for a related but legitimate profession. He became a boxer. While serving in the Navy, William was the champion of the 14th Naval District alternating between the middle and welter weight categories. He retired from the military in 1977, completing 21 years of service. After a brief period in Virginia and Delaware, where his youngest son was born, William returned to Detroit. He met Lorraine Jones in 1986 and they married in 1994. They would have been celebrating 25 years of marriage in 2019.

He leaves warm and cherished memories with his wife: Lorraine, his seven children: Jan (Andy), Wanda, Audrey, Derrick (Trina), William, Shawn (Stevie), and Jermaine; sisters: Carol, Janet, Carol Ann, and Brenda; brothers: Don and Henry, two step-daughters: Mirynda, and Equinn, one step-son: Mateeya (Rasheeda), eighteen grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.


First Visitation

When Thursday, October 25th, 2018 4:00pm - 9:00pm
Location
James H. Cole Blvd. Chapel
Address
2624 W. Grand Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48208

Second Visitation

When Friday, October 26th, 2018 10:30am - 11:00am
Location
James H. Cole Blvd. Chapel
Address
2624 W. Grand Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48208

Service Information

When
Friday, October 26th, 2018 11:00am
Location
James H. Cole Blvd. Chapel
Address
2624 W. Grand Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48208