Denerio Cartez Williams was born on November 30, 1988 at 1:35 a.m. at St. Elizabeth's Hospital located In Belleville, IL to the union of
Rickey Williams and Cindy Carothers. Prior to his death, Denerio was employed at Bria of Belleville as a CNA Supervisor. Denerio
accepted Christ at an early age and was committed to sharing and taking care of others.
Denerio attended Wolf Branch School where he met his lifelong friends, Jasmon Sanders, Kelli Garner and Andrea King. He attended
Belleville East High School and there he met his lifelong friend, Jasmine Morning. In 2007, he graduated from high school. In 2008, he
attended Southwestern Community College where he majored in Social Work. He received his CNA certification in 2010 from
Southwestern Community College located in Red Bud, IL. In 2011, he started his career as a CNA at Bria of Belleville. In 2017, he was
promoted to CNA Supervisor.
Denerio honored his parents. He followed in his mother's footsteps and worked in the medical field. His dedication to his job made his
parents proud. He loved his mother's cooking and would always request that she prepare his favorite food (Pot Roast with Potatoes).
He loved spending time with his father or just talking on the phone with him.
Denerio and his brother, Chauncey Williams, were very close. The two could always be found covering for the other. The two would
always tell stories about breaking things in the house and replacing it with their stepfather, Alan Carothers, yard sale items. The boys
would convince their mother that they did her a favor by cleaning the basement, but were really covering up the broken furniture and
lamps in the basement. Denerio and Chauncey would spend hours on the phone talking about their dreams and aspirations for life.
Denerio was the oldest and always assured Chauncey that he was proud of him and his accomplishments. He always made sure that
Chauncey was motivated. Chauncey strove to make sure that Denerio was proud of him and it showed because Denerio could always
be found bragging about his little brother. Their very last conversation was filled with "I love you" and "talk to you soon". The two
brothers could not have been any closer. Their relationship was full of love and truth. They both accepted criticism from one another
and did whatever it took to resolve issues.
Denerio lived life to the fullest. He made his presence known at every family event. His friends and family knew that they could count
on him for just about anything. He never complained about making sure his loved ones had transportation. He shared everything he
had including his time. Although he loved every family member, his cousin, Layla Sanders "daughter" held a special place in his heart.
Layla is the daughter of his cousin, LaToya Long, and he vowed to assist her in raising Layla. He lived up to his promise until the day he
was called home.
His friends were very important to him and he was always there for them when they needed him. Kelli Garner, Jasmon Sanders, Andrea
King, and Jasmine Morning were his closest friends. In high school, they decided to call each other by last name only. Their friendships
stood the test of time even after high school. He made sure that he checked on all of his friends either in person, text, or via telephone.
He was present at everyone's special events and he made sure that they knew he was in the room. His laugh was infectious and his
words were genuine. He was known to have a comeback for every joke.
In addition to his friends and family, he had an extensive work family. He was employed at Bria of Belleville for 10 years. He loved his
residents and his co-workers. He would often use his personal finances to purchase hygiene items for the residents. Some of the
residents would lovingly refer to him as "Big D." He was a dependable worker and could be called in day or night, if there was a staff
shortage. He did not believe that there was any job that needed to be done that was beneath him. He was a team player and wanted
what was best for the residents. He was committed to being the best CNA that he could be.
Denerio has a host of cousins that he loved. Most of his cousins had the pleasure of spending a lot of time with him. He had a special
relationship with each and every one of his cousins. Both Sabrina and LaToya Long spent the most time with him as children and
adults. They experienced many firsts during their adult lives. They were not only cousins, they were also roommates. Living together
made them really close. They worked together to make sure that everyone needs were met. Sabrina and Denerio helped LaToya with
transportation for Layla to and from school. They also made sure that her educational needs were met while LaToya worked. They were
an awesome trio and an example of what family should look like.
Denerio was called home to be with our Lord and Saviour on October 17, 2021 at 4:42 a.m. He was preceded in death by his father,
Rickey Williams, (1970-2021); maternal grandparents, Johnny Brock, Sr. (1940-1998) and Frances Martin Brock (1945-2013);
paternal grandparents, Richard Jones (1948-1996) and Juanita Phiffer Williams (1942-2019).
Denerio Williams is survived by: his mother ~ Cindy Brock Carothers of Swansea, IL; brother ~ Chauncey (Kelita) Williams of McKenney,
VA; sister ~ Arika Ellis of Atlanta, GA; stepfather ~ Alan Carothers of Belleville, IL; niece ~ Londyn Williams of McKenney, VA; nephew ~
Ashton Ellis; affectionately known daughter ~ Layla Sanders of O'Fallon, IL; aunts ~ Terri Brock Berry of Fairview Heights, IL, Sylvia
(Willie) Goss of Louisville, MS; Dedra (Demetrius) Brock-Moore of St. Louis, MO, Michele (Nate) Brock of Swansea, IL, Maria
Shackelford of Chattanooga, TN, Brenda Long and Elanda Williams both of East St. Louis, IL; uncles ~ Franklin Brock of East St. Louis,
IL, Johnny (Ava) Brock, Jr. of Belleville, IL, James Williams of Venice, IL and Jimmy Williams of East St. Louis, IL; lifelong friends ~ Kelli
Garner of Shiloh, IL, Jasmon Sanders of Belleville, IL, Andrea King of Elizabethtown, TN, and Jasmine (Cornell) Morning-Eiland of
Atlanta, GA; special cousins ~ Sabrina Long of Fairview Heights, IL, LaToya Long of O'Fallon, IL; and a host of cousins, friends and
co-workers.