William Muhammad

William Muhammad was born William Louis Davis to Lillian Davis and Samuel Edmonds on November 21, 1942, in Columbia, South Carolina. His mother Lillian moved him and his siblings to Pittsburgh, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. The family eventually moved to New Haven, Connecticut where he would eventually meet his wife, Mildred; the place he would make his home for approximately 58 years.

At the age of 19, William married his sweetheart Mildred O. Wilkins, this union produced 10 children. The couple joined the Nation of Islam in the mid 1960’s and William eventually changed his legal name to William Ibrahim Dawud Muhammad after the birth of the 10th child from this union, which allowed for Muhammad to become a family surname. The couple saw the importance and wanted to be a part of the upliftment of African American people through economic independence, knowledge of self and business independence within their community.

William’s career experiences included HVAC, Manufacturing and as a Machine Operator but, his passion for photography turned into a career later in life, even incorporating some of his children as an assistant. William loved to take pictures and spent time perfecting his craft to capture joyous occasions, life milestones through school photography and other special events. Prior to his passing, William moved to Kansas City, KS, to pursue his love for Islam.

William was preceded in death by: parents Samuel Sr. and Lillian, wife Mildred O. Davis, second wife Lula Shaw, son Marcus A. Davis, brothers: Robert Muhammad, Samuel Edmonds Jr, and Vienna V. Edmonds.

Survivors include his children: Jamal M. Davis, William Davis (Robin), Tamara Davis, Amber Tobias (Omar), Ramona L. Davis, Derek Davis (Sheila), Rasheed Davis, Andrea Scott (Malik), Yakeem Davis, Martin James (Kosha), Miles James (Regina) and Tariq Muhammad.

Brothers and Sisters: Arthur Davis, Sallie M. Balancier, Ralph Funderburk (Sylvia), Patricia Meyers (Steve), Shelia R.E. Williams (Calvin), Oswald S. Edmonds (Yvette), Andrea S. Edmonds, Audrey S. Edmonds, Edna B. Edmonds, companion Ronchelle Welcome, a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and cousins, and so many others who have been inspired by his knowledge and wisdom.