William Thomas Young Sr., affectionately known as Sonny, transitioned from labor to reward on March 3, 2026, at INOVA Lansdowne Hospital. He died peacefully surrounded by those he loved the most.

Sonny was born on April 13, 1941, in Leesburg, Virginia. He was the youngest of four and the only son of the late William McKenzie and Emily Louise Young. His early years were spent on a 13-acre farm in an area that was fondly known as Gleedsville. He attended a one-room schoolhouse for black students near his home place before going to Douglas High School where he graduated in 1959. William enlisted in the U.S.  Army in 1963 and was discharged with the rank of Sergeant.

William was rooted in faith and the church. He was baptized at age 8 in a creek on Route 9. His family attended First Mount Olive Baptist Church which was originally located on Liberty Street. Over the years, he was active in numerous ministries – All Choirs (except Gospel Choir), Trustee Board, Media Ministry, Building Maintenance, Safety Committee, Finance Committee, Bus & Van driver and chaired special committees and events. William was instrumental in the rebuilding of the current church that was built in 1998. Of all the many ways he served, he was honored to be a deacon.  He became a deacon at age 19 and served for more than 50 years. He also loved directing the Male Chorus. William would spend hours listening to music to prepare for rehearsals. Every morning you would find him at the kitchen counter reading his bible while drinking coffee. His favorite scripture was Isaiah 40:28-31.  He was a dedicated and faithful servant who loved the Lord and his church.

William enjoyed cooking, bowling, fishing and gardening.  You could not keep William out of the kitchen especially at Christmas when he baked sugar, oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip cookies. He bowled in church bowling leagues and owned three fishing boats that he piloted all over Northern Virginia and Maryland. His love of gardening surpassed everything. He grew all types of vegetables that were shared with family, friends and church members. As a father with sons, he was a Boy Scout Leader who enjoyed camping with the different troops. He also had a love of speed. An ardent NASCAR and drag racing fan, he belonged to the Push Rod Racing Club. William and William II restored a 1931 Ford Model A that he took to car shows where he won numerous trophies. And you cannot forget his love of Westerns. He watched them repeatedly.

In 1964, he married Evelyn Harris Young and they raised three children. He was a great provider for his family.  He built a home in Vienna where he lived for many years before moving to Reston. During the 1970's he owned a trucking business before working for Fairfax County repairing emergency vehicles. His gifted skills lead him to work at a Ford dealership in Tyson's Corner as a mechanic and an assistant service manager. While at the dealership, he repaired vehicles for federal government employees who encouraged him to work for the government. His responsibilities included the motor pool and Logistics. He initially retired in 2002 but went back to work for Lockheed Martin as a contractor for the federal government.  After Evelyn passed in 2011, William finally called it quits in 2012.

In October 2013, he married Brenda Logan Young. They were blessed to enjoy twelve wonderful years of marriage.  Together, they worked diligently for the church on numerous projects. Brenda, as Treasurer, worked with William to improve and maintain the church building.  They took on the responsibility for the replacement of new flooring in different areas the church, installation of automatic toilets and paper towel dispensers, painting of the main sanctuary, replacement of ceiling tiles after a water leak in the main sanctuary, replacement of outdated HVAC equipment, built a media cabinet in the fellowship hall and much much more.

He was preceded in death by two sisters; Evelyn L. Moore and Gladys B. Johnson.

William leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Brenda Logan Young; his daughter, Doris E. Ellis (Joseph); two sons, Floyd A. Hunter, Jr. (Cindy) and William T. Young II; one grandchild, Teresa M. Kargbo; one sister, Mary Y. Reid; and a host of nephews, nieces and other family and friends.

Information needed to view the service.
Zoom: ID. 7295384923 P/W 282491

Facebook viewing: FMOBC Leesburg

https://www.facebook.com/share/1FK6CT43NP/