Rashad Laron Williams

WILLIAMS, Rashad Laron - Was born May 8, 1984 to Sheila Burton and Tony Williams. He was raised by his mother Sheila Burton and her family. Rashad, affectionately known as "Shad G," "Chocolate Drop" and "San Francisco's Finest", and whose name also means "brave one" in Arabic, started his education early in life. While raised in the church, Rashad attended Visitation Valley Preschool, Fellowship Academy, and graduated from Archbishop Riordan High School in June 2002. He later furthered his education by enrolling in an online college program, where he maintained a 4.0 GPA. Rashad had a passion for track and began running at the age of seven for various track clubs, including Billy Hutton, City Track and the San Francisco Striders. Rashad received many awards for his participation in track, but his highest was his 4 by 800 relay team race that allowed him to make it to the Junior Olympics in Seattle, where his relay team placed seventh in the nation. Rashad also played basketball for the San Francisco Boys and Girls club and played Pop Warner league football with the Junior 49er's. Rashad's greatest achievement was a humble one that tugged on the heart strings of people from around the world, and gave our country hope in the time of mourning. In the wake of the horrific Columbine High School massacre, Rashad heard a local news report about a young victim, Lance Kirklin, who was shot five times and needed four more reconstructive surgeries with no health insurance. Rashad wanted to help and used his track star skills to enter the annual Bay To Breakers race. Rashad immediately started collecting sponsorships that raised over $18,000 for a friend he had never met. Rashad has received many awards and cites of recognition for his heroic act, including the 2000 Giant Steps Award Winner Courageous Student Athlete from The National Consortium for Sports Academics - Disney's Wide World of Sports; The Northern California Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee's Community Service and outstanding and selfless contributions to others; The Martin Luther King, Jr. Unsung Hero Award; The National Alliance of Black Schools Award; and The United States Senate Certificate of Commendation presented by U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein. Rashad has also appeared and interviewed on such television shows as the Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, CNN, MSNBC, and was a contestant on "To Tell the Truth." The God of heaven and creator of all things called his child, Rashad, into eternity with him, on Wednesday, Dec-ember 7, 2005. He leaves to mourn and to cherish his memories, his mother, Sheila Burton of Brisbane, CA; stepfather, Anthony Harrison of Pittsburg, CA; sister, Remi Burton of Brisbane, CA; brother, Rmard Harrison of Brisbane, CA; grandparents, Mack and Minnie Burton of Clearlake, CA, and Shirley and Moses Pinkins of Antioch, CA; grandmothers, Ardie Harrison of Pittsburg, CA, Nora Ortiz of San Francisco, CA and Mary Williams of Pittsburg, CA; great-grandfather, James Bracks of Compton, CA; a wonderful godmother, Ruth Hunter of SF; four god brothers, Herman Pratt and Duke Pratt of SF, Adam Pittman of Mountain View, CA and Jamil Weaks of SF; two god sisters, Laura Pratt of Pittsburg, CA and Kim Lewis of San Jose, CA; and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins and friends. The Memorial Service will be held Fri., December 16, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. at Providence Baptist Church, 1601 McKinnon Ave., SF, CA 94134. For more info, call Rev. Calvin Jones, Jr. (415) 641-8719.