Obituary of William Kenneth Mann, Jr.

William K. Mann Jr., also know as "Bill" or "Junior", was called home March 3, 2016. He was born in Utica, NY on June 10, 1958 to the late William K. Mann, Sr. and Alice Ann Mann. William attended and graduated from Utica Free Academy and went off to the US Army National Guard as a Boatswain Mate from 1976 until 1977. In 1977, he went to the US Navy to become a Military Policeman. He was honorably discharged from the US Navy in 1978. William obtained an Associates Degree in Chemical Dependancy Counseling from Mohawk Valley Community College in 1998. In 2002, he received a Bachelors Degree in Sociology from the State University of New York Institute of Technology. William was a member of the Board of Directors of the Utica Youth Bureau as well as a board member for JCTOD. He worked as a Counselor and Client Care Provider at the Alcohol Crisis Center of the Utica Rescue Mission. He also was a Medicaid Service Coordinator at the Resources Center for Independent Living. He was employed as a substitute teacher for many years as well. William accepted the Lord as his personal savior. He was a deacon for Greater Grace Church in Utica, NY. William gave back to his community and loved working with the youth. He volunteered as a coach for both the boys and girls Dick Miller basketball league where he led a few teams to victory. In his past time, William enjoyed cooking and he was very good at it. He sure could make a mean meatloaf! He also liked to take things apart and put them back together. He was definitely a handyman. Everyone also knew about his love for music. He thought he was a DJ. Even though his timing was a little off (lol) he still was able to bring joy to friends and family through his alter-ego “DJ Daddy Mann” and his label “Daddy Mann Productions”. Most of all, William loved his children. He always went above and beyond to make sure they were happy. William is preceded in death by his grandmother, Pearlenar Abramson; a special aunt, Lillian Gardner; nephew, Kipton Degree, Jr.; cousins, Shirley Jackson, Minnie Jackson Washington, Vernell Jackson Lilley, and Walter Jackson. William leaves to mourn his wife, Vicki H. Mann of Utica, NY; his sisters, Victoria (Arthur) Pearson, Inez Burnside all of Utica, NY, Cynthia Grant of Norfolk, VA, Phyllis (Calvin) French of Utica, NY, and Tomasina Degree of Baltimore, MD. His children, William K. Mann, III, Marcus D. Mann, Christina M. Mann all of Utica, NY, and Alice A. Mann of Owings Mills, MD; stepchildren, Duane Blair, Blake Lodge, and Tyler Lodge all of Utica, NY; the mother of his children, Christina Harvey of Owings Mills, MD; 11 grandchildren; a special cousin, Obie Hawkins, of Utica, NY, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends; and a special friend, David Jordan of Rome, NY, known as Uncle Dave. Family and friends may call on Saturday, March 12, 2016 from 2pm - 3pm for visitation with service immediately following at 3pm, at the Greater Grace Church, 1112 Ney Ave, Utica, NY 13502. Interment will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery, 2201 Oneida St., Utica, NY on Monday, March 14, 2016 at 10:00am.