William Earl Howard

William Earl Howard, 72, US Army Veteran of Chicago, Illinois and formerly of St. Louis, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly June 25, 2025.

William grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, 1 of 13 children born to Miles and Ethel Mae Howard. He graduated from Soldan International Studies High School in 1972. Following graduation, William was drafted into the US Army and honorably served in the Vietnam War. In 1973 he married Jessie Curry and his daughter La Keesha Howard McCall was born shortly after. At the end of the 70's, William moved to Chicago's South Side, where he spent his remaining years. In 1990, his son William Jr. was born.

William leaves behind his loving daughter La Keesha Howard McCall, son William Howard Jr., beloved granddaughter Shawna McCall, sisters Emma Jean Wilson, Etta Howard, Tammy Howard, Felicia Howard, Angelique Howard and brother Vernon Howard; a host of nieces and nephews including LaShune Howard, many cousins, extended family and friends.

William was preceded in death by his mother Ethel Mae Howard and father Miles Howard; brothers LaMorris Howard Price, Rickey Howard, Timothy Howard, Demetrius Howard and sisters Michelle Howard and Orvell Howard.

Inurnment to take place at 10:30am on Thursday, July 8th 2025 at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.

Release Me.

Release me from your spirit. I have lived a good life, a poor man's life, in a bad life. But only God has the right to judge me.

Release me from your spirit this journey of life is no longer for me. It's for you. Live your life, make sure you live a good life, always keeping God first.

Release Me one day judgment Day is coming for each and every one of you. We don't know the hour or the day, are you ready?

Release Me I survived the Vietnam war and my addiction and the pain of this world. I'm free so it's your turn to release me.

My journey of life is over. release me.

Written by William Howard's sister, Tammy Howard

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus"

-Romans 3:23-24

Arrangements entrusted to Chicagoland Cremation Options of Schiller Park Illinois.