Wilbur Ervin Jr. was born to Wilbur Ervin Sr. and Lorastine Doss on July 4, 1962 in St. Louis, Missouri. Both preceded Will in death.

Will, affectionately called "Shane," and his family had the gift of song and enjoyed singing. Shane would break out into a song at any given time, anywhere.

Shane graduated from Lincoln High School in East St. Louis and attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, where he studied communications; evident to all who knew him, because he loved to talk!

Shane loved to tell the story of attending high school with Jackie Joyner and running track with the celebrity athlete.

Shane met and fell in love with Jeanette Lynn Ervin (Penny), in 1997 and remained married for 29 years.

For more than 20 years, Shane traveled to different cities each year attending family reunions with his wife, hanging with his Chicago family and enjoying the savor taste of Chicago foods.

In the early morning hours of July 9, 2026, Shane took his final journey to a resting place prepared for him.

Shane leaves to honor his memory, wife, Jeanette Ervin; daughter, LaTanda Kennedy, (3 biological grandchildren); brothers, Bobby Foster and Alim Muhammed; sister, Mia Ervin; 3 brothers preceded Shane in death, Richard, Brian and Roderick; two bonus children, Erika (Otto) and Tony Sullivan; 9 bonus grandchildren, 2 preceded Shane in death (Devon and Nicole); 12 bonus great-grandchildren; 1 bonus great-grandchild; 3 brothers-in-law, Eugene and Michael preceded Shane in death (Linda and Alice), and Lawrence Brown (Laverne); special aunt, Darlene Waller (Freddie), Dale, Gale, and Netra; uncles, Dwayne Jackson, Lamont Hall and Carson Irwin; a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.