WILL
William E. Rios was born May 27, 1988 in Red Hook, Brooklyn to Charmelle and Nelson. He moved to Meier's Corners, Staten Island in 1991, when he was three and lived there until his untimely death April 3, 2008.
William attended PS 54, IS 72 and Susan E. Wagner High School; graduating in 2006.
He played CYO Basketball for St. Rita's various positions in the Staten Island Boys Football League, and for four years played Defensive Back and Defensive End for Susan Wagner. Will received the four year player award from Susan Wagner.
William was also a member of Susan E. Wagner's Air force Junior ROTC program.
One of his proudest achievements was when as a junior in high school he singled handily collected a van full of canned goods and other food products which he donated to All Saints Episcopal Church food pantry.
After graduating two years ago he completed trade school at the New York School of Seamanship in Mariners Harbor.
William also worked seasonally for the United Parcel Service. Last summer he worked with youth in Harlem as a counselor for the New York City Housing Authority.
At the time of his death he was working as a mail clerk at Seaport Orthopaedics Associated in Manhattan.
William aspired to join the military since grammer school and recently enlisted in the US Navy, he was due to report in May 2008. He loved music and shopping in SoHo for clothing and sneakers.
Will loved spending time with his family and friends. He was funny, sweet, kind hearted, very protective and strong when you needed him.Young and old loved him, he was very respectful and basically a really good kid.
