William Arthur Jeans (Bill) was born on April 4,1949 to Henrine Sharp in Chicago, Illinois. He had a strong bond with his stepfather Benjamin Sharp. He was the oldest of six siblings. As a big brother he cared and nurtured his younger siblings. William was raised in Shannon, Mississippi, where he developed lifelong friendships and deep family roots that remained dear to his heart.
He is a 1967 graduate of Sims High School in Nettleton, MS. William attended and graduated from Mississippi Industrial College in Holy Springs, Mississippi in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He received his master’s degree in education from Websters University in Webster Groves, Missouri. He enlisted in the United State3s Army from 1971 until 1973.
After graduating from MIC in 1971, he married his lovely wife, Vernell Mayweather. They were inseparable. In 1974 William moved to East St Louis, Illinois. While in Illinois, he worked as a high school science teacher at Lovejoy High School in Lovejoy, Illinois. He also worked at Eastside High School as a high school science teacher in East Saint Louis, Illinois. He moved to California in 1983 and studied Mortuary Science at Cypress College. After obtaining his mortuary license, he became a licensed embalmer in the state of California. William always had a love of science. He worked 40 years as a mortician at various funeral homes including Pierce Brothers, Angelus, Solomon, and South Los Angeles Mortuary, Inc.
Outside of his profession, William simply loved life. He delighted in holidays, family celebrations, backyard cookouts, and enjoying food with those he loved. William possessed an infectious personality and was often the life of the party. His quick wit, warm smile, and remarkable sense of humor could brighten any room. Even during his final days, he continued to make others laugh.
No matter where life took him, Mississippi always remained home. William treasured every opportunity to return to Shannon, where he reunited with his mother, daughter, grandson, siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends. Those visits were filled with laughter, storytelling, cherished memories, and the kind of fellowship that only family can provide.
Above all else, William loved his family. He was a devoted husband, a caring father, a proud grandfather, a dependable provider, and a generous friend. He was known for his kind heart, grateful spirit, strong work ethic, and willingness to help others. His life leaves an enduring example of love, humility, perseverance, and service.
William was preceded in death by his son Tychemus Jeans; his sisters-in-law, Juanita Mayweather and Annie Mayweather.
William leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife Vernell Jeans; his mother Henrine Sharp of Shannon, MS; his five children Travis Jeans of Los Angeles, CA, Rev. Dr. Lesha Agnew of Guntown, MS, Sheila Jeans, Dante Jeans, and Shelena Jones (John), all of Los Angeles, CA; his seven grandchildren Tyzhanae Jeans, Dominique Jeans, Adrian Poindexter, Rashad Douglass, Jayla Jones, Janiya Jones, and Zuri Jones; his six siblings; Carolyn Buchanan (James), Elizabeth Sharp, Kirtham Sharp (Deborah), Gregory Sharp (Jacquie), Joyce Griffin, Jacqueline Sharp-McMillian (Samuel) and his sisters-in-law; Georgia Stokes, Linda Fields and Alma Mayweather. He also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, great- nieces, great- nephews, great-great-nieces, great-great nephew, cousins, and friends.
