Rayon Williams

Obituary
With heavy hearts, the family announces the passing of Rayon Williams, a beloved daughter, sister, cousin, and friend whose presence brought warmth, laughter, and love to all who knew her. Rayon's kindness, radiant energy, and beautiful soul touched countless lives, and her memory will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved her. She was the cherished daughter of Michelle Butler and Reuben Williams, and beloved stepdaughter of Anthony Butler Jr. She is survived by her loving siblings Rachelle, Rahja, Fendi Taylor, James and Jazmine Butler, Lilah Williams, Omausha Williams, and Reuben Williams Jr., along with a host of other siblings. Rayon was the beloved granddaughter of Marcia & Dennis Parrish and Lueana Coward, and was preceded in death by her grandparents Louis and Luealla Coward, Bessie Dent Williams, her dear uncles Harry Coward, James, and Don Jones, and her cousins Ivan Coward, Danny Bracey Sr., and Danny Bracey Jr., along with many other beloved family members. She will be forever remembered by the family and friends who loved her dearly.
A Life of Dedication and Dreams
From an early age, Rayon was determined to become someone great. Her passion for basketball began when she was just nine years old, and from her first games in elementary school, she dreamed of taking her talents to the collegiate level. She graduated from Mid-Atlantic High School, where she was both an academic standout and a talented athlete. In 2017, Rayon proudly attended the University of Pittsburgh, fulfilling her dream of playing basketball at the collegiate level. Her teammates and coaches knew her as a leader, a hard worker, and a positive force both on and off the court. She led by example-encouraging her teammates and striving to be one of the hardest-working players in every game and practice. In the classroom, she maintained a 3.2 GPA, valuing her education as much as her sport.
Rayon earned her Associate of Arts (AA) Degree in Physical Education and would've liked to pursue her Master's Degree, continuing her passion for learning and personal growth. Her long-term goals included playing professionally in the WNBA or overseas and eventually coaching high school or college basketball-continuing to inspire others to follow their dreams, just as she did.
Rayon also had a creative spirit. She established her own clothing line, 1 of 1 Clothing, in 2023, and was deeply passionate about programming and technology, exploring new ways to learn and grow her skills.
Beyond basketball and work, Rayon cared deeply for others. She worked as a Home Care Worker, where she touched lives through her compassion and patience. Later, she became a Manager at Hibbett Sports in Edgewood Town Center, Pittsburgh, where she led with passion, professionalism, and heart. Rayon truly embodied her favorite quote: "You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take." She lived every day with courage, faith, and determination-believing that the sky was the limit and that greatness was always within reach.
Her legacy will forever live on through the love she gave, the lives she inspired, and the memories she created with her family and friends.
"To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." - 2 Corinthians 5:8
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